Norman Edgar MCCOULLOUGH

Norman Edgar MCCOULLOUGH Update Details

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MCCOULLOUGH, Norman Edgar

Service Number:	4662
Enlisted:	23 August 1915
Last Rank:	Private
Last Unit:	30th Infantry Battalion
Born:	Cootamundra, New South Wales, Australia , 1897
Home Town:	Cootamundra, Cootamundra, New South Wales
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Student
Died:	Natural causes, Wagga Wagga Base Hospital , New South Wales, Australia , 5 September 1952
Cemetery:	Wagga Wagga General (Monumental) Cemetery
Memorials:

World War 1 Service

23 Aug 1915:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4662, 1st Infantry Battalion
15 Jan 1916:	Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4662, 1st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: RMS Osterley embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: ''
15 Jan 1916:	Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4662, 1st Infantry Battalion, RMS Osterley, Sydney
2 Jan 1919:	Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 30th Infantry Battalion

NORMAN EDGAR McCOULLOUGH

NORMAN EDGAR McCOULLOUGH (1897-1952) born at Glencoe Cootamundra, son of Daniel and Mary Jane McCoullough nee Davis. Norman served in the same unit, the 30th Battalion, as his brother Hector at Fromelles, France during WW1. He enlisted on August 25th, 1915 as Private 4662 and sailed on the Osterley in January 1916. Norman saw his brother get shot and killed in battle and was badly wounded himself at Fleubeaux in July 1916. His purse saved his life. It was in his breast pocket, and when he was shot in the chest, the coins inside deflected the bullet. The coins were badly bent, but their presence saved a direct hit into the heart. Although wounded he stayed outside in No Man's Land for two days, beside a badly wounded comrade who was unable to move. An illuminating report for Captain Malcolmson – written home on December 5th, 1916 from Welham Camp in England, stated that Norman should have received the VC for his courage under fire. (Captain Malcolmson was also from Cootamundra and his letters home were often reprinted in the Cootamundra Herald.)
Shells were falling all around the two men and machine guns playing over them, but luckily when the decided it was safe to make a run for it, they were both able to escape and he was able to help his friend back to the tranches for medical aid.
Chaplain Malcolmson wrote on December 12th, 1916 Norman McCoullough came in to say au revoir before leaving for France tonight.
In all he was wounded three times. He was shot in the chest, in the abdomen and the forearm.
Norman and Hector's battle colours were Purple and Gold. The return to Australia was per the Karmala in February 1919. He received his discharge on May 22nd, 1919. He was honoured with Life membership of the RSSAILA in 1945.

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