SHILLITO, Donald Robert (1890-1915)
Born at Ballan in 1890. Son of Thomas Shillito and Mary Hannah Smith, he was the seventh of ten children. Donalds older sister Mary married Joseph Lorenza (Joe) Hargreaves of Dixons Creek in December 1903.
Donalds parents were living in the Yarra Glen district but Donald was working in Ballan as a sleeper hewer when he enlisted aged 23 on 26 September 1914. He embarked with the 12th Battalion on the Thermistocles on 22 December 1914. The troops landed in Alexandria on 26 January 1915 and made their way to Camp Mena. Robert was moved to Lenmos Island on the Devanha which sailed from Alexandria on 2 March 1915. On the 25 April he landed on Gallipoli with the 3rd Brigade (12th Battalion) which was among the first ashore at around 4:30 am. The Brigade was heavily involved in establishing and defending the front line of the ANZAC position. Donald Shillito was listed as missing in action that first day and was later confirmed killed.
Donald is commemorated on the Yarra Glen Honour Roll, the Kangaroo Ground Honour Board and at the Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli,
