COPLEY, Harold James
| Service Numbers: | 5120, S68539 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 December 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/4th Field Squadron |
| Born: | Orroroo, South Australi, 9 September 1889 |
| Home Town: | Medindie, Walkerville, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Stock Agent |
| Died: | Adelaide, South Australia, 29 September 1947, aged 58 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (AIF Section) |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 3 Dec 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 5120, 3rd Light Horse Regiment | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Jan 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 24 Howitzer Brigade - Serapeum | |
| 7 Oct 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Captain, 111th Australian (Howitzer) Battery | |
| 3 Jun 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Captain, 111th Australian (Howitzer) Battery, Mustard Gas - Boulogne, France | |
| 18 Jan 1919: | Promoted AIF WW1, Major, 2nd/4th Field Squadron, 2nd Australian Divisional Artillery | |
| 19 Feb 1919: | Embarked AIF WW1, Major, 2nd Australian Divisional Artillery per Orea to Adelaide, SA | |
| 4 Jun 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Major, 2nd Australian Divisional Artillery |
Non Warlike Service
| 9 Jun 1938: | Honoured Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Kings Birthday Honours London Gazette 9 June 1938 on page 3693 at position 1 |
|---|
World War 2 Service
| 8 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lieutenant Colonel, S68539 | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Adelaide, SA | |
| 8 Apr 1942: | Involvement Lieutenant Colonel, S68539 |
Help us honour Harold James Copley's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Chris Buckley
Harold was the third of nine children of Enos Copley (born 1856 in Yorke Town, South Australia) and Maria Bertha Klenner (born 1860 in Bethel, South Australia). Enos, a Farmer, married Maria in 1881 at Black Rock Plains, where they lived most of their lives, Enos died in 1930.
Harold worked at Black Rock as a Stock and Station Agent, and was first commissioned on 13 March 1911, serving with the 17th Australian Light Horse as a Lieutenant. He enlisted in the AIF in 1914, serving as a Lieutenant with 3rd Light Horse Regiment in Gallipoli, in Western Egypt as Battery Commander Field Artillery, and in France as Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 18th Light Horse (Who's Who in Australia 1936).
In 1919 Harold married Muriel Helen Wilson Shepherd (born 1888 in Melbourne, Victoria). Muriel served as a Staff Nurse with the Australian Nursing Service in Egypt; London and France in WWI. Harold and Muriel settled in Adelaide, South Australia where Harold was a Director with Elder, Smith and Co (stock and station business). He Commanded the 6th Cavalry Brigade (AMF) in Adelaide and in 1938 was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (London Gazette 9 June 1938 p3693). Harold enjoyed cricket, tennis and riding and held a number of positions including Member of the South Australian Meat Export Board, Director of Stock and Station Journal, and President of the United Service Institute South Australia.
In April 1942 Harold enlisted in the ACMF, serving as Lieutenant Colonel (Service No:S68539) with GPHQ Volunteer Defence Corps. Daughter Fay Muriel Copley (Lance Corporal, Service No:SX24944) also served in WWII.
Harold died in 1947 and Muriel in 1963
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