COLES, Arthur Edward
| Service Number: | 1895 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 February 1916, Geelong, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 58th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Geelong, Victoria, Australia, October 1899 |
| Home Town: | Chilwell, Geelong, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Chilwell State School |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Victoria, Australia, 2 April 1980 |
| Cemetery: |
Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne Melaleuca, Garden M13, Bed 2, Rose 26 |
| Memorials: | Geelong Albion Woollen Mills Honour Roll, Newtown All Saints Church Honour Roll, Newtown Chilwell State School Roll of Honor, Victorian Garden of Remembrance |
World War 1 Service
| 28 Feb 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1895, 58th Infantry Battalion, Geelong, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Jul 1916: | Involvement Private, 1895, 58th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '20' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ajana embarkation_ship_number: A31 public_note: '' | |
| 8 Jul 1916: | Embarked Private, 1895, 58th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ajana, Melbourne |
Help us honour Arthur Edward Coles'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 James COLES and Emma Jane COLES nee PALMER, 71 Claredon Street, Chilwell, Geelong, Victoria
Husband of Matilda May COLES nee BAYLEY
Arthur Edward Coles enlisted on 28 February 1916 at the age of 18 Years 4 months, single and living at the family home at 71 Clarendon Road Newtown. He stated his occupation as a labourer. He was appointed to the 3rd Reinforcements of the 58th Battalion.
Arthur remained in Geelong and later Broadmeadows till he embarked from Melbourne on 8 July 1916 on HMAT Ajana. Arriving in England on 31 August, he was marched into Larkhill, Salisbury for training. After a bout in hospital, Arthur proceeded to France on 10 November 1916, as a member of reinforcements to the 58th Battalion. 2 weeks later, Arthur was transferred to the 8th Battalion.
From Arthur’s records, it appears on 1 April 1917, he was reported as being ‘Underage’ (ie. Under 21 years) and was again transferred from the front line to service at No 1 Australian General Hospital in Rouen, France.
Soon afterwards, Arthur came down with influenza but continued to serve at the hospital for the remainder of 1917. In April 1918 was diagnosed with pleurisy and was evacuated back to England for hospitalisation till it was determined to return Arthur to Australia.
Arthur embarked for Australia on 2 July 1918 on HT Kanorona, arriving in Melbourne on 1 September 1918. Arthur was discharged on 8 October 1918.
Click images to start slideshow.