Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Cyril Richard Cole
Service Number: 74
Place of Birth: Mintaro
Date of Birth: 27 January 1894
Place of Enlistment: Keswick
Date of Enlistment: 20 July 1915
Age at Enlistment: 21 years 5 months
Next of Kin: Father – Albert John Cole
Occupation: Assistant forester
Religion: Methodist
Rank: Acting Corporal 32nd Battalion
Cyril was the son of Albert John and Margaret Ellen Cole [nee Mortimer] . He left Adelaide on board HMAT A2 Geelong on 18 November 1915 and disembarked at Suez on 18 December. After a period of serving in Egypt he was sent to France with his unit on 23 June 1916, where he was appointed Acting Corporal. Cyril spent two weeks in hospital due to illness in February 1917 but was able to rejoin his battalion on 13 March. He fought in France for the remainder of the war, during which time Cyril was awarded the Military Cross. At the cessation of the war he returned to Australia per the Wyreema on 13 April 1919, disembarking on 27 May and was discharged on 20 July. Cyril received the 1914/15 Star, Victory Medal and the British War Medal between August 1921 and August 1922.
When World War Two commenced, Cyril re-enlisted at Caulfield, Victoria on 9 April 1940, listing next of kin as his wife Suzanne Cole of Canberra, with his occupation as a Forestry Officer. Consequently, he joined the 1st Forestry Company of the 2nd A.I.F., serving mainly in the U.K. and Lae, Papua New Guinea in 1944. Cyril was appointed Captain on 4 April 1940, Major on 6 September 1940 and Lieutenant Colonel on 15 July 1941.He returned to Australia from the U.K. on 4 November 1943. His unit returned via the U.S.A., parading in New York. In addition to his World War One medals, Cyril gained a 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and the Australian Service Medal. He was awarded an O.B.E. in 1944. Cyril Cole died on 1 October 1989.

When World War Two commenced, Cyril re-enlisted at Caulfield, Victoria on 9 April 1940, listing next of kin as his wife Suzanne Cole of Canberra, with his occupation as a Forestry Officer. Consequently, he joined the 1st Forestry Company of the 2nd A.I.F., serving mainly in the U.K. and Lae, Papua New Guinea in 1944. Cyril was appointed Captain on 4 April 1940, Major on 6 September 1940 and Lieutenant Colonel on 15 July 1941.He returned to Australia from the U.K. on 4 November 1943. His unit returned via the U.S.A., parading in New York. In addition to his World War One medals, Cyril gained a 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and the Australian Service Medal. He was awarded an O.B.E. in 1944. Cyril Cole died on 1 October 1989.