Phillip Matthew Foley was born in Rhymney, VIC and was a Railway Employee when he enlisted in the 8th Battalion, 19th Reinforcement on 17 April 1916 at the age of 38. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on 28 July 1916, leaving behind a wife and three children. He sailed first to England, then on to France in December. He served first with the 8th Battalion but was then transferred to the 1st Division Ordnance Corps. In early 1918 he received tragic news from home and in June he applied for discharge for æfamily reasons'. His youngest child had died and this had adversely affected his wife's health and her capacity to care for the other two children. His application was approved in August and he returned home on the City of Karachi, disembarking on October 24th 1918.
Tree No 2342