The AIF Project

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength, 60th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 26 February 1916.

Admitted to No 2 Australian Stationary Hospital, 28 February 1916 (mumps); discharged to unit, and rejoined Bn, 16 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Reported Missing, 19 July 1916.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 4 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'.

Statement, Red Cross File No 1451012, 3322 Pte A. BILLINGSLEY, C Company, 60th Bn, 7 December 1916: I knew a V. (sic) Jones quite well. He lived near Bendigo. He was in XV Pl, D. Co. He died beside me during the night of July 19 at Fleurbaix. He was a tall young fair-complexioned lad of about 21 years of age. He lay about 100 yards from the German trenches, badly wounded. I gave him a drink of water. His leg was almost blown away. He must have bled to death painlessly. I am not absolutely certain as to his initials or number. We knew him as "Jonsey". He used to be a Military Policeman at one time.'

Second statement by BILLINGSLEY, 1 June 1917: 'We were in the same shell hole near the German 1st line trench at Fleurbaix opposite Fromelles Railway Station. His leg was badly shattered and he was in great pain, and begged me to get him some water which I did. He died about 45 minutes later.'