Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Ambrose Francis and Catherine Rose Coghlan, of Torrensville, South Australia.

Mrs. C. Millard, of Port Lincoln, has been notified that her brother, Pte. F. N. Coghlan, is missing in the Egyptian campaign. Private Coghlan was formerly on the staff of the Bank of  Adelaide at Cleve and Streaky Bay. Three other brothers and a sister are serving in the fighting services.

Sgt. Francis N. Coghlan.
The recent announcement that Sgt. Francis Norbert Coghlan had been killed in action in the Middle East brought sorrow to his relatives and large circle of friends throughout  South Australia. Born at Eriskay, North Hebrides, Scotland, he came to Australia at the age of three, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose P. Coghlan. His early education was received in schools at which his father was teacher. After winning a bursary, he was a student at Rostrevor College, and later became a staunch member of the Old Collegians'  Association. Frank was a football, cricket, and tennis enthusiast, and played in the Catholic Lawn Tennis Association and many country clubs. He was a member of the C.Y.M.S.,  H.A.C.B.S., Catholic Guild for Social Studies, and Catholic Soldiers' Guild. After a year as clerk in the Mt. Painter Radium Mine, he joined the staff of the Bank of Adelaide, and  became an Associate of the Bankers' Institute of Australia. He was an officer of the bank at head office, Hawker, Karoonda, Minlaton, Port Lincoln, Cleve, Kapunda, and Streaky  Bay. In June, 1940, he enlisted and left Australia with the 2/43rd Battalion in 1941. On November 1, 1942, he gave his life for his country. Of those who mourn his passing three  brothers and, a sister are in the fighting services. Amongst the tributes paid to the deceased is one from Mr. -O. L. Isaachsen, general manager of the Bank of Adelaide, who writes that Sgt. Coghlan "was a valued member of our staff, highly regarded by the management and held in high esteem by his fellow officers. His association with the bank and  his glorious deeds in the defence of the Empire will be long remembered by his colleagues." A tribute from Fr. Cullinan, of Streaky Bay, expresses the sentiments of all who were  acquainted with Sgt. Coghlan. "Frank was an excellent Catholic and a credit to his family, school and Church. He took an active and enthusiastic part not only in the social life of  the Church but also in that of the town and district. Be was respected and popular with all classes of people. He was a sterling character and derived immense pleasure from the  simple things of life. A more loyal and true friend nobody could wish for. He was determined to do his greatest possible 'bit' in this great fight, and would never have been satisfied unless he got right in the thick of it in the front line. He got there, and made the supreme sacrifice on the Feast of All Saints, 1942. May our Loving Father have mercy on his  brave, generous soul."