Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Douglas Fredrick Coad was born on the 23rd of March 1898 in the town of Gumeracha, South Australia.

Before the war Douglas worked as a labourer and gardener. Douglas was the son of Mrs Fanny Coad. Douglas enlisted into the war on the 1st of December aged 18. His mother needed to provide permission for him to join the AIF as he was under 21.

He embarked on RMS Mongolia from Adelaide, South Australia. Douglas was enlisted into the 27th Infantry Battalion. Before going to the front lines of the war he underwent basic training in England. He was wounded in the battle of Somme on 4/6/16 in France. Douglas returned to Australia on the 22/11/17. Douglas received the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.

Douglas passed away on the 31st of May 1972 at 74 years of age.  His place of death was Daw Park, Adelaide, South Australia, and He is buried at Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia, Australia.

Private Douglas Frederick Coad

Service No.: 4091

Unit: 27th Battalion, 10th Reinforcements

Regiment: Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.)

Conflict: World War I

Archives Reference: NAA: B2455, COAD D. F.

Early Life and Background

Douglas Frederick Coad was born on 23 March 1898 in Gumeracha, South Australia, the son of Frederick Charles Coad and Frances “Fanny” Crowhurst.

He grew up in the Adelaide Hills and worked locally as a gardener and labourer before enlistment. A practising Baptist, Douglas was known for his quiet and steady character.

Enlistment

Enlisted at Adelaide on 1 December 1915, aged 18 years 8 months.
Required parental permission; his father signed consent on 29 November 1915.
Physical description: height 5 ft 6½ in, weight 136 lbs, blue eyes, brown hair, medium complexion.
Assigned to the 10th Reinforcements, 27th Battalion A.I.F.

Overseas Service and the Western Front

9 Mar 1916 – Embarked from Adelaide on HMAT Mongolia bound for Egypt.
19 May 1916 – Disembarked at Alexandria; posted to 2nd Division Base Depot.
6 Jun 1916 – Proceeded to France via Marseilles.
12 Jun 1916 – Taken on strength with 27th Battalion.
4 Aug 1916 – Wounded in action near Pozières, France – gunshot wound to face and right eye.
7–16 Aug 1916 – Hospitalised in France (13th Field Ambulance → 4th Australian Field Ambulance → 13th Stationary Hospital, Boulogne).
16 Aug 1916 – Evacuated to England per H.S. Jan Breydel.
19 Sep 1916 – Base Records telegram to his mother: “Gunshot wound face severe.”
Sep 1916 – Mrs Fanny Coad wrote from Gumeracha seeking news; Victoria Barracks replied with hospital details.
31 Oct 1916 – Transferred to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield; later to Weymouth Depot.
16 Nov 1916 – Classified “loss of sight right eye (severe injury).”

England and Recovery Duties

9 May 1917 – Attached to Anzac Provost Corps (Parkhouse Camp, England) for guard duty.
23 May 1917 – Detached to A.A.M.C. Training Depot, Tidworth.
8 Oct 1917 – Hospitalised at Monte Video Sanitary Section.
18 Oct 1917 – Embarked for Australia on Hospital Ship A72 Beltana.
10 Dec 1917 – Landed in Australia.
27 Dec 1917 – Discharged at Keswick Barracks as “Medically Unfit (Not due to misconduct)” – gunshot wound right eye.
Total service – 2 years 27 days, of which 1 year 278 days abroad.

Pension and Decorations

War-injury pension initially 30 shillings per fortnight, increased to £3 p.f. from 28 Dec 1917.
British War Medal issued 25 Apr 1921 – receipt signed by Coad.
Victory Medal issued 29 Dec 1922 at Gumeracha (witness V. Sims).
Not eligible for 1914–15 Star (did not serve before end 1915).

Later Life

Married Violet May Moore on 27 Jan 1923 at Kersbrook.
Children: Lois Daphne Coad (1923–2000) and Thelma Coad (1927–1993).
Worked as a gardener and later served again in WWII Home Service (1940–45) with Service No. S1163 / MX17477.
Died 31 May 1972 at Daw Park Repatriation Hospital, aged 74.
Cremated at Centennial Park Cemetery, RSL Wall 117, Niche G002.

Legacy

Private Douglas Frederick Coad was one of the many young South Australians who volunteered under-age, served bravely on the Western Front, and returned home with permanent injuries. Despite losing sight in one eye, he lived a life of service, quiet dignity, and family devotion.

He is commemorated on:

Australian War Memorial – Embarkation and Nominal Rolls
Virtual War Memorial Australia (South Australia)
Gumeracha District War Honour Board
Centennial Park RSL Wall 117 (Adelaide)

“Wounded in France – Faithful unto duty. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

Sources

National Archives of Australia, Service Record: NAA: B2455, COAD D. F.
Australian War Memorial, Embarkation Roll & Nominal Roll, 27th Battalion.
Virtual War Memorial Australia – Private Douglas Frederick Coad profile.
Base Records Correspondence, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne (1916).
Department of Defence Medal Receipts, British War Medal and Victory Medal (1921–22).
Centennial Park Cemetery Register, RSL Wall 117, Niche G002.

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 24/10/2025