Patrick Joseph (Joe) COLL DCM, MM

COLL, Patrick Joseph

    Service Number: 2973
    Enlisted: 15 September 1916, Brisbane, Queensland
    Last Rank: Sergeant
    Last Unit: 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1)
    Born: Paddington, Queensland, 3 March 1896
    Home Town: Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland
    Schooling: Not yet discovered
    Occupation: Railway clerk
    Died: Natural causes (lung cancer), Greenslopes Repat Hospital, Queensland, 22 November 1966, aged 70 years
    Cemetery: Toowong (Brisbane General) Cemetery, Queensland
    Portion: 25 Section: 21 Grave No: 9A
    Memorials:
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    World War 1 Service

    15 Sep 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2973, 47th Infantry Battalion, Brisbane, Queensland
    27 Oct 1916: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2973, 47th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Marathon, Brisbane
    27 Oct 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2973, 47th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Marathon embarkation_ship_number: A74 public_note: ''
    28 Sep 1917: Honoured Military Medal, Polygon Wood, "North of Polygon Wood, on the night of 28/29th September 1917. This man was a section commander. When on a working party some men of his section were blown up by shell fire and the platoon sergeant was killed. Private Coll by his coolness and bravery kept the platoon well under control and inspired them with fortitude and courage. His command of the platoon was excellent and great credit is due to him for the manner in which he asserted himself. he acquitted himself nobly and set a splendid example to others."
    3 Apr 1918: Honoured Distinguished Conduct Medal, Dernancourt/Ancre, "Did extraordinary work and displayed great bravery at DERNANCOURT on 3rd April 1918, when a party of 300 enemy approached to attack. He was on offensive patrol and located enemy when 200 or 300 yards away. He gave the signal and returned to the line, being shot in the head whilst doing so. He assisted in the defence, personally killing 7 enemy, and not until all was quiet did he seek medical aid. He assisted another wounded man out of the line, and although weak from loss of blood, insisted on making complete report before being evacuated. He is a splendid example and full of grit and previously had done very excellent work."
    3 Apr 1918: Wounded Dernancourt/Ancre, GSW (Neck)
    13 Apr 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 2973, 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1)

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    Biography

    Patrick Joseph Coll enlisted in the A.I.F. on 15 September 1916 and served in the 47th Battalion. During his service in France on the Western Front he was awarded the Military Medal (Polygon Wood) and the Distinguished Conduct Medal (Dernacourt).

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