S1850
COATS, James Leslie
| Service Numbers: | 241, 241A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 October 1914, Morphettville, SA |
| Last Rank: | Driver |
| Last Unit: | 43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Paskeville, SA, 9 March 1892 |
| Home Town: | Port Augusta, Port Augusta, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Station Overseer |
| Died: | Port Lincoln, SA, 27 January 1951, aged 58 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Happy Valley Cemetery, Port Lincoln RSL Section |
| Memorials: | Port Augusta St Augustine's Church Memorial Honor Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 24 Oct 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 241, 9th Light Horse Regiment, Morphettville, SA | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Feb 1915: | Involvement Private, 241, 9th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Karroo embarkation_ship_number: A10 public_note: '' | |
| 11 Feb 1915: | Embarked Private, 241, 9th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Karroo, Melbourne | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Driver, 241A, 43rd Infantry Battalion | |
| Date unknown: | Wounded 241A, 43rd Infantry Battalion |
Help us honour James Leslie Coats's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Christopher Lucas COATS and Elizabeth Jane nee BARKLA
Biography contributed by St Ignatius' College
James Leslie Coats was born on the 9th of March 1892 in Paskeville SA. His mother’s name was Elizabeth Jane Barkla, and his father’s name was Christopher Lucas Coats. Later in 1892, on December 17th James’ father sadly passed away. James grew up in Port Augusta with his mother and stepfather John Newton.
In terms of his physical appearance, James was described as having a fair complexion with blue eyes and blonde hair. He was of relatively small stature, weighing only 144lbs and measuring at 5’5”.
Exact details on James’ early education are unknown, but it is likely that he attended a local school. He was single up until he enlisted with no documentation of a wife or children. He was working as a Station Overseer. His mother Elizabeth was his nominated next of kin.
On the 24th of October 1914, James, along with thousands of other young Australian men, volunteered for the army at the recruiting office in Morphettville SA.
He began his training which lasted a few months. During this period, James was taught everything he needed to know before officially serving in the war. The training consisted primarily of practicing to use real weapons and learning to deal with the terrain and weather conditions that they were likely to face during battle.
After a few months of intensive training, James departed Australia on the 11th February 1915, on the HMAT Karroo. Once overseas James embarked to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli on 16th May 1915. He sprained his ankle and was admitted to 1st Anzac Casualty Clearing Station 3rd July 1915 and then admitted to hospital in Mudros the next day. He was discharged back to duty on 4th August after some time in a Convalescent Camp in Mudros. However, within a couple of weeks he was ill with Pyrexia and was sent to hospital in Malta and then on to the London War Hospital in England for further treatment and rest.
He recovered and marched out to be transferred to the 10th Battalion on 6th September 1916 as a Driver and proceeded overseas to France 25th November 1916. Drivers were usually privates in rank but designated "Driver" to distinguish them from infantry. Drivers were essential in getting supplies, food, ammunition and equipment to the men at the front, and bringing wounded back to medical stations.
He served with the 10th Battalion in the field until he became ill with a debility on 25th February 1917. After initial treatment with the 9th Field Ambulance, he was diagnosed with a heart condition 10th March 1917. He was transported by 26th Ambulance Train to Boulogne and transferred back to England on the HS Cambria. He was admitted to hospital in Frensham and once recovered after a short period of furlough report to No 2 Communication Depot at Weymouth in April. During World War 1 Weymouth was the depot for the Anzacs Gallipoli casualties sent to UK hospitals for treatment and then discharged as convalescent. He proceeded back to France 14th June 1917 returning to the field with the 43rd Battalion on 6th July 1917.
James was discharged from serving in the Australian army on the 9th of March 1919 because the war had finished. He completed a total of 4 years and 245 days of serving in World War 1.
James returned to his home in Port Augusta and married Iris Isabell Dighton on the 4th of July 1924. Iris gave birth to their son, Thomas Chris Coats on the 12th of July 1925 in Wilmington SA. Their daughter Elizabeth was born on the 24th of May 1927. At some point James moved to Port Lincoln.
Many years later, on the 2nd of September 1948 while James was 56, his mother passed away.
James died in Port Lincon SA only a few years later, on the 27th of January in 1951. He died at the age of 58 and his cause of his death was unknown. He was buried in Happy Valley Cemetery, Port Lincon RSL section. His memorial stone is located at the St Augustine’s Church Memorial Honor Roll in Port Augusta.
Bibliography
Attestation form:
file:///Users/adelaidedoyle/Downloads/NAA_ItemNumber3263471.pdf
Virtual War Memorial Australia:
https://vwma.org.au/explore/projects/173952/edit?wizard-page-index=0
Australian War Memorial
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E84472
43rd infantry Battalion:
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51483
Letters:
https://images.slsa.sa.gov.au/sarcib/SRG76_1_2606.pdf
9th Light Horse regiment:
https://vwma.org.au/explore/units/68
South Australian red cross information Bureau:
https://sarcib.ww1.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/soldier/james-leslie-coats
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