Stanley Victor Coney
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 3 Jul 1896 |
| Place of Birth | Weymouth, England |
| Death | 26 Feb 1969, aged 72 |
| Place of Death | Subiaco, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 19 years, 11 months |
| Description |
5'5" (1.65m) tall ; 125lbs 56.699 kg ; fair complexion ; grey eyes ; light brown hair |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | NOK c/- East Cannington Post Office |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr James Coney |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 24372 |
| Date of Enlistment | 29 Feb 1916 |
| Rank | Temp Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 3rd Division Ammunition Column, Section 1 |
| Date of Embarkation | 27 Jun 1916 ‒ 20 Aug 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A37 Barambah |
| Date of Return | 9 Dec 1918 ‒ 15 Jan 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Leicestershire |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action (gassed) 13 Nov 1917 Returned to Australia - medical |
| Monument | none as yet |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Stanley was one of five children to James Coney and Elizabeth Payne who had emigrated to NSW in 1884 before returning to England in 1892. Their expanded family returned to Australian aboard the SS Stuttgart, arriving in Fremantle on 23 July 1902.
War Service
Stanley entered camp on 28 Feb 1916 and was allocated to Artillery Reinforcements, requiring him to travel to Victoria to undertake specialist training. On 1 Jun 1916 he was allocated to No 1 Section of the 3rd Division Ammunition Column with him being taken on strength in England on 28 Aug 1916. Between 11 and 29 Sep 1916 Stan was in the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital Bulford with Venereal Disease. On 24 Nov 1916 he proceeded to France.
In France, Stanley spent from 20 - 24 Jan 1917 in hospital being treated for Scabies. On 9 May 1917 he was detached to the 8th Field Artillery Brigade for a time, and on 13 Nov 1917 he was wounded in action (gassed). Seen by the 9th Field Ambulance he was passed back to the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station on 15 Nov 1917 who placed him in an Ambulance Train for the 35th General Hospital in Calais. Admitted by them on 19 Nov 1917, he was evacuated to England on 30 Nov 1917 aboard HS Pieter de Coninck. In England he was admitted to the Cheltenham Military Hospital the same day. On 4 Jan 1918 he was released to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, and then sent on furlough from 26 Jan - 9 Feb 1918.
Returning from leave he reported to the No. 4 Command Depot, Tidworth and following an assessment of his health, on 14 Jun 1918 he was taken on strength of the permanent Cadre at No. 4 Command Depot, and appointed acting E.D.P. Corporal. On 1 Oct 1918 he was promoted Temporary Corporal. On 3 Dec 1918 Stan marched out to the No.2 Command Depot at Weymouth from where he was sent home to Australia suffering from "effort syndrome"' (an anxiety reaction characterised by quick fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, etc.) Stanley was discharged by the 5th Military District on 25 Feb 1919.
Post War
Stanley married Adele Bernadette Nowotny on 1 November 1920, at St Bridit's Church West Perth. Adele died 11 Feb 1982 in Subiaco aged 84. Stanley’s career in the Civil Service did well and he progressed from the Post Office to the Customs Department and the early 1930’s he was a Sub-Collector and involved searching for contraband and prohibited materials.
Electoral Roll entries: 1921 - 1925 at 75 Redfern street, Subiaco, public servant; 1931 Customs officer in Broome; 1934 - 1968 at 75 Redfern street Subiaco, public servant
In 1958 records exist of a return journey form Hong Kong to Fremantle aboard the MS Kristen Bakke, arriving in Fremantle on 27 January. Address at the time was 75 Redfern street, Subiaco.
"OPIUM SEIZED AT BUNBURYLargest Haul for that Port ARREST OF CHINESE BUNBURY, Friday.
The largest parcel of opium seized, in Bunbury for many years was taken from a Chinese who was arrested on Thursday afternoon by Customs-officer S. V. Coney. The man was questioned on the jetty shortly after noon by Acting-Customs Inspector Smith after, it is alleged, he had visited the S.S. Bosworth at present in port. He was conveyed to the Customs office, where he was subjected to a rigorous search, which, however, did not reveal the opium suspected to be on the person of the Chinese. When Mr. Coney picked up a rug and cushion which the apprehended man had placed on the counter of the Office as he entered, the parcel, which contained 17oz of opium valued at £85, was discovered. The man had apparently carried the opium in his hand following his arrest and ingeniously deposited it on the counter to avoid detection. In the Bunbury Police Court today Ah Kew was charged with having been in possession of.17oz of opium contrary to the provisions of the Customs Act. Mr. C. E. Jenour appeared for the department, and on his application the accused was remanded in custody for eight days."[1]
"OPIUM ON SHIP - How Searchers Were EvadedBUNBURY Thursday. On a charge of having been in possession of 17oz., of opium; Ah Kew was sentenced in the Police Court today to 12 months imprisonment. A story was told of how Ah Kew was sent from Perth to get the opium from the steamer Bosworth which had been searched for opium twice at Fremantle and twice at Bunbury. Stanley Victor Coney Sub-Collector of Customs at Bunbury, said that on Thursday, July 19, he told Acting Customs Officer Smith to go to the jetty and watch the Bosworth and to bring to the Customs House any Chinese seen leaving the vessel. Shortly afterwards Smith brought Ah Kew who admitted having been on the vessel, and said that he had come from Perth. He was searched, but nothing was found in his clothing. Smith picked up a rug on the counter and looked through it without result, but on his picking up a cushion on the counter the opium was found beneath it. VALUED AT £85
Kew admitted having obtained the opium on the Bosworth, but would not divulge the name of the man who had given it to him. The parcel weighed over 17oz., and was valued at £85. In reply to Mr Jenour (appearing for prosecution), Coney said that the case was a very serious one. It was usual to find parcels of from one to two ounces. The department had been put to a big expense to secure this parcel. The vessel had been searched twice at Fremantle and twice at Bunbury, and while it was at the latter port a continuous watch was kept on the vessel. Ah Kew had apparently been sent to Bunbury to collect the opium, as he was booked to return to Perth the same afternoon. In reply to the magistrate, Kew said that the opium was not pure, as the parcel contained only 4oz. of opium fit for smoking and was valued at only about £10. Accused was sentenced to 12 months hard labor.[2]
Notes
For further information on this soldier, or for more information about the history and heritage of the City of Gosnells, please contact the Heritage Coordinator on 9391 6011
Exact address uncertain, father moved around regularly, but included in website. Possible addition to RSL Honour Board.