Ernest John Coles
From Our Contribution
 State Library of Western Australia | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 3 Jan 1894 |
| Place of Birth | York, Western Australia |
| Death | 7 Jun 1917 |
| Place of Death | Messines, Belgium |
| Age at Enlistment | 22 years, 1 month |
| Description |
5'7½" (1.71m) tall ; 146 lbs 66.224 kg ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Farm hand |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Mundijong, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Jesse Coles |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1805A |
| Date of Enlistment | 24 Jun 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 44th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement, transferred to the 33rd Battalion / 9th Brigade, 3rd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 9 Aug 1916 ‒ 25 Sep 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A28 Miltiades |
| Fate | Killed in Action 7 Jun 1917 Messines, Belgium |
| Monument |
Mundijong School Roll of Honour Mundijong Honour Roll Menin Gate Memorial Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Enlisted in Mundijong.
War Service
Soon after joining Blackboy Hill camp, Ernest was allocated to the 2nd reinforcement draft for the 44th Battalion, and following some training he travelled with the draft to England. During the voyage Ernest spent 12 days in the ship's hospital with Measles.
On arrival in England, Ernest was taken on strength of the 11th Training Battalion at Lark Hill. On 11 Nov 1916 he was allocated to the 44th Battalion then in England, but three days later he was taken on strength by 'A' Company of the 33rd Battalion.
Ernest proceeded overseas to France with the 33rd Battalion through Southampton on 21 Nov 1916 aboard HMPS Mona's Queen. There are no further entries in his records until his death on 7 Jun 1917 when his unit was part of the attacking force on Messines.
Post War
Ernest's father received a pension at 20/- per fortnight from 9 Feb 1917 until his death a few years after the war concluded.
At time of his death his parents had moved to 71 Amherst road, West Midland. In Memorium card gives father, as having moved back to Mundijong where he was living with his daughter Mrs JE Osborn.
Notes
While his records include an initial place of burial (Sh28 S.W. U.3 d.2.4 (AT 19796), his grave was not found later and thus he is recorded on the Menin Gate memorial in Iper (Ypres).