Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Samuel Joseph Coleman was born on the 4th of November 1893 in Port Pirie, South Australia. Coleman was the son of George and Mary Coleman and he had two brothers: Robert and George. Before the war, Coleman’s occupation was as a machinist and he followed the church of England. Before and during the war Coleman was unmarried, however, when he returned from duty he married Sylvia Jean (Coleman). He was described as having fair hair, blue eyes and fair skin. He was 22 years old when he enlisted. His height was 5 feet and 9 inches and weight was 154lbs and a Chest measurement of 34 inches.

On the 4th of September 1914, Samuel Coleman enlisted to serve in World War I at the age of 21. He joined the 12th Battalion a front-line Australian infantry unit that fought at Gallipoli, including the ANZAC landing and Lone Pine. Later they fought at the Western Front in battles such as Pozieres, Ypres, and Amiens. He completed his training in Adelaide before being sent overseas.

Coleman embarked for service on the 2nd of March 1915 aboard the Alexandria, heading towards the Gallipoli campaign. On the 2nd of May 1915, Coleman was admitted to hospital in Mudros suffering from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated infections such as strep throat or scarlet fever. His illness prevented him from joining his comrades in the 12th Battalion which was involved in establishing and defending the front line at ANZAC Cove. When recovered, he returned to Gallipoli and continued to fight. Later in the year, on the 25th of September 1915, Coleman was transferred to a Casualty Clearing Station and on the 26th of September he was admitted to a hospital ship.

On the 1st of October 1915, he embarked on the Gloucester Castle, although the exact date he disembarked is unknown. Around this time, on the 2nd of October 1915, he was admitted to St George’s Hospital after becoming sick with influenza. The influenza A and B virus, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract nose, throat, and lungs. Coleman’s condition worsened, and by the 27th of October 1915 he was reported to be dangerously ill. However, by the 6th of November 1915, he was declared out of danger. On the 14th of December 1915, he embarked from Malta to Egypt. Shortly after arriving, on the 18th of December 1915, he was admitted to hospital in Heliopolis, suffering from enteric fever. By the 21st of January 1916, his illness was so serious that he was sent back to Australia for a three-month recovery period, ending his first service of the war.

On the 30th of October 1917, Samuel Coleman embarked for overseas service on His Majesty’s Australian Transport. He arrived and marched in from Australia on the 27th of December 1917,  where he rejoined military duties. On the 6th of January 1918, upon rejoining his battalion he returned to his permanent rank of Corporal. As preparations for active service continued, on the 31st of March 1918, Coleman was transferred to another unit overseas, and by the 1st of April 1918 he had officially rejoined the war as part of the 10th Battalion.

This Battalion was a front-line Australian infantry unit that fought at Gallipoli, including the ANZAC landing, and later on the Western Front in major battles such as Pozieres, Bullecourt, Ypres, and Amiens. He then underwent further military training to prepare for combat, including additional training on the 10th of April 1918 and a strength test on the 13th of April 1918 to assess if he was ready. However, shortly after returning to active service, Coleman was wounded in action on the 24th of April 1918, suffering a gunshot wound to his left shoulder and chest. The 10th was defending near Hazebrouck. He was admitted to hospital the following day, on the 25th of April 1918, and was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital for treatment.

During his recovery, Coleman was transferred overseas, and on the 12th of May 1918 he was moved to the United Kingdom for further medical treatment. By the 13th of May 1918, records confirmed the severity of his injuries. On the 2nd of August 1918, after several months of recovery, he was discharged from the Royal Victoria Hospital and transferred to an auxiliary hospital to continue his treatment, he was later discharged from active duty.

After the War, Coleman was married to Sylivia Jean (Coleman) on the 24 Mar 1927. He died on the 6 Jun 1984 at age 90 in Adelaide, South Australia.  For his service he was awarded three medals. Samuel Joseph Coleman lived an important life serving us in the war and will forever be thanked for his service to Australia.