Reginald John Daley

Service number: 3038

Rank: Corporal

Unit: 5th Battalion Australian Machine Gun Corps

Service: Australian Army

Date of death: 2 September 1918

Cause of death: Died of wounds

Cemetery or memorial details: Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe, France

War Grave Register notes:

DALEY, Cpl. Reginald John, 3038. 5th Bn. Australian Machine Gun Corps. Died of wounds 2nd Sept., 1918. Age 26. Son of Philip Laurence Daley and Mary Virginia Daley, of Virginia, Owen Street, Willoughby, New South Wales. Native of Sydney, New South Wales. VIII. B. 25.

Source: AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army

Mr Daley was born at Redfern and was a labourer. His father, a blacksmith, was a violent drunk, as confirmed by Manly police. His mother separated from him and lived at Quinton Road, Manly; Clifford House, Clifford Avenue, Manly; then Mosman. Aged 10, Reg found the body of a woman on Manly Beach (SMH1 Sept 1902). He enlisted on 2 July 1915 aged 23 and 5 months. He was disciplined on several occasions for insubordination and missing parade. His hospital record included spells of influenza, trench fever, pleurisy, dysentery, syphilis and influenza again.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 27 July 1916. He was fatally wounded on 2 September 1918. He had an illegitimate son with Lillie M Eyre. Lt J E Scott of the 5th Machine Gun Bn stated: “On the big push of August 8th, on that day Reg did some wonderful work, I strongly recommended him for the Military Medal.” However no decoration was awarded.