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Lyulph Griffith OXLEY
| Rank | Reg/Ser No | DOB | Enlisted | Discharge/Death | Board |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pte | 16088 | 27y7m | 21 Jan 1916 | 12 Jul 1920 | 6 |
Private Lyulph Griffith Oxley (1888 - 1932)
Family background and early life
Lyulph Griffith Oxley was born at New Farm, Brisbane on 27 June 1888, youngest son of Henry James Oxley and his wife Alice (née Griffith). Mr H. J. Oxley of the firm Henry J. Oxley & Son, Accountants and Mrs Oxley and their family lived at Wiroa, Armagh Street, Eagle Junction and were involved in the life and work of Wharf Street Congregational Church where Lyulph’s grandfather, Rev. Edward Griffith was the Minister from 1860 to 1889. Sir Samuel Griffith, Premier of Queensland and later first Chief Justice on the High Court Bench of the Commonwealth of Australia was Lyulph’s uncle.
Lyulph attended Brisbane Grammar School from February 1902 to December 1904 and then worked in Brisbane as a clerk.
Enlistment and service
At the age of 27 years 7 months he enlisted on 21 January 1916 to serve overseas in the Australian Imperial Force but remained in Brisbane for most of that year. At Enoggera Camp, Captain Fryer appointed him to the 23rd Reinforcements, Army Medical Corps on 9 November.
A single man of slight build, 174 cm tall and weighing 59 kg, Private Oxley joined his unit, sailing from Sydney on 22 December on board HMAT Demosthenes. During the voyage to Plymouth, Lyulph Oxley was sick in the ship’s hospital.
Private Oxley’s war service in convalescence camps, Field Ambulance Depots and AMC training camps took place entirely in England. On disembarkation, Private Oxley marched in to Parkhouse Camp on 4 March 1917 then to 4th Command Depot at Wareham. He was transferred to 16th Field Ambulance and carried out duties with the 67th Battalion.
On 19 July he transferred to 17th Field Ambulance then to Number 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott. Hurdcott House became the headquarters of Number 3 Command Depot of the Australian Imperial Force. The locality there was acclaimed as ideal for a convalescent base. The huts were well laid out and the kitchens 'splendidly equipped' and capable of feeding 4,000 men. Initially camps numbered 5 and 6 housed convalescing troops but later became a 'sub hospital', with higher categories of patient transferred to camps 7 and 8.
Much of the training was carried out by British instructors of the Army Gymnastic Staff from Aldershot and Devonport. The depot received men who had been evacuated sick or wounded from France and were reckoned likely to become fit for active service within three months of graduated training. Particular attention was paid to dental health, a man needing to have ten sound teeth in each jaw to be passed fit for overseas training – so he could hold the mouth of his gas helmet properly.
Private Oxley was assigned to various duties in these camps and was taken on strength by the Permanent Cadre of the 2nd Training Brigade Headquarters on 12 November 1917. He was attached to duty at AIF Headquarters in London from 4 February 1919 till 1 March 1920 when he marched out on leave pending return to Australia.
Return to Australia
Private Oxley embarked on Ceramic on 12 March 1920, disembarked at Sydney on 6 May and was discharged in Brisbane on 12 July 1920.
In civilian life Mr L. G. Oxley became known as Jack Oxley. He and Miss Maud Hope were married in 1922 but illness troubled him. His AIF service record was considered by the Department of Repatriation in 1925. On account of failing health he and Mrs Oxley resided in Stanthorpe from 1926 but he died at his home in Wallangarra Road, Stanthorpe on 5 October 1932, aged 44 years. Jack Oxley was survived by his widow, three sisters and five brothers. His funeral was held in Brisbane and he was buried at Toowong Cemetery.
Compiled by Noel E Adsett, Brisbane, March 2015. Edits and additions by Miriam King, 2023. ©
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