Private David Milligan was born in Lawrence, New Zealand in 1877. He lived at 23 Robinson St, North Perth with his parents Thomas James and Louisa Lucinda Milligan. Thomas died in 1906, and Louisa died in 1903.

Employed as a hospital orderly before he enlisted on the 6th March 1915, he was living with his brother Thomas James Junior at 23 Almondbury Rd, Mt Lawley whom he nominated as next of kin.

David joined the 28th Battalion and left Australia in June 1915.

Sent to France in 1916, David was hospitalised frequently due to various complaints and in January 1917 returned to Australia.

He was discharged due to ‘age, chronic rheumatism, sciatica and hernia.‘

David died in Sydney New South Wales on the 30th September 1941.