John Harold Coffen
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known |
| Place of Birth | Perth, Western Australia |
| Death | not known |
| Place of Death | Victoria |
| Age at Enlistment | 20 years, 7 months |
| Description | 5'6" (1.68m) tall; weight 131 lbs (59.4kg); dark complexion, brown eyes, brown hair |
| Occupation | sleeper hewer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Jarrahdale, Wesern Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 960 |
| Date of Enlistment | 17 Aug 1914 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion / 3rd Brigade, 1st Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 2 Nov 1914 - 5 Dec 1914 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A11 Ascanius |
| Date of Return | 30 Jun 1918 - 24 Aug 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A61 Kanowna |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Jarrahdale Honour Roll |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
Three weeks after entering camp John was fined 5 shillings (50 cents) for being AWOL - period not stated. He travelled with the 11th Battalion as part of the 1st Convoy
Embarked on the HMAT A23 Suffolk for Gallipoli on 2 Mar 1915. As a member of the 11th Battalion, he was one of the first ashore as part of the 'cover force'.
On 4 Sep 1915 he had reported to the 1st Field Ambulance with teeth problems. They in turn passed him to the 2nd field Ambulance on 13 Sep 1915 where it was decided to admit him to a hospital ship for Mudross via the 25th Casualty Clearing Station. At Mudross he was embarked on HMHS Formosa for Port Said with debility and pyrexia.
At Heliopolis, Cairo he was admitted to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital on 21 Sep 1915. No mention is made of him returning to Gallipoli. On 1 Apr 1916 John was admitted to the 4th Auxliary Hospital in Abbassia with mumps, remianing with them until 10 Apr 1916.
In France on 28 Aug 1916 he was attached to the 1st Australian Division HQs for traffic duties after returning to the 11th Battalion from hospital on 30 July.
Appointed Lance Corporal on 3 Dec 1916, he was then promoted Corporal on 20 Apr 1917. Ten days later he was again in hospital and on 14 May 1917 he boarded the HS Stad Antwerpen at Calais for England where he was admitted to the Kitchener Military Hospital with influenza.
Well again, on 10 Nov 1917 he again embarked for France from Southampton, rejoining the 11th Battalion on 20 Nov 1917 at Courset, north east of Étaples where they were retraining and building strength. Warned to be returning to the front line in early March 1918, on 28 Feb 1918 John reported ill to hospital.
On 14 Mar 1918 John was evacuated to England aboard the HMAT A69 Warilda, and on the 15th admitted to the Reading War Hospital with Trench Fever. On 28 Mar 1918 he had recovered enought to be released to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Dartford, Kent before being granted furlough from 4 - 13 Jun 1918.
Discharged on 18 Sep 1918 at 5th Military District.
Following his return to Australia, Miss Dolly Inch of 174 High street, Elgin in Scotland wrote to the authorities seeking John's address. Discharged on 18 Sep 1918 at 5th Military District.
Post War
John married Jean Buchanan Sherrard during 1919 in Perth, and they lived at 53 Walcott street, North Perth. John's occupation was given as french polisher.
In 1931 they appeared on the roll for 41 Banole avenue, Armadale, Victoria; 1943 at 210 High street, Prahran, Victoria.
In 1949 Jean is alone at 210 High street, Prahran and by 1977 Jean had down sized to 17/672 Malvern road Prahran; 1980 at 2/55 Ryley street, Wangaratta.
A son John Robert was born 14 Jan 1921 and he served in the 2nd AIF, joining in the field in Papua with Reg No. VX.148254.
Notes