Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Eric was one of seven children of Thomas Henry and Elizabeth Coleman of West Thebarton. He was born on the 18th November, 1913. The family had already lost one son, Walter who died in September 1907. Eric’s other siblings were Albert, Maisie, Olive, Roma and Victor.
Eric’s early years were punctuated by many court appearances. In those Depression years his first appearance for swearing was explained because Eric and members of his family ‘were in poor circumstances’. His language was also provoked when ‘Bathers had taken the rudder off the vessel, and had splashed defendant, drenching him’ whilst in a rowboat at the Torrens Lake weir. For that incident a conviction without penalty was recorded. Some ingenuity was evident in his next appearance where he was caught unlawfully in possession of a quantity of ‘digested bones’ which were ready to be made into blood and bone manure. He was caught trying to sell these to the local chemical works for extra money. Unfortunately, this resulted in one month’s imprisonment for the 18 year old. The following year, Eric was lucky to escape a whipping for assaulting a young boy when a recommendation for leniency was made. By the time he was 22 Eric had another conviction and fine for offensive behaviour.
His frustration again boiled over in October ’36 when Eric was attempting to transport a heavy two-ton trolley of wood in excess of what his pony was capable of pulling. He was caught and fined for ill-treating the pony which was taken to the Kilkenny Police Station. The load was eventually moved when Eric brought a larger horse to pull the trolly.
With the outbreak of WWII and the assurance of a regular pay in the Army, this ‘street-wise’ 26-year-old young man eventually enlisted on the 17th June ’40. He was allocated to the 2/48th battalion as SX5304. Eric’s initial training was at Wayville in what is now the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before completing training at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills. Following pre-embarkation leave Eric left for the Middle East on the Stratherden on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940. Once there, they completed a few months training in Cyrenaica. Eric was to become one of the now famed Rats of Tobruk in a Battalion which was to be highly regarded and decorated.
Just over two years after enlisting, 28-year-old Eric was killed in action on the 22nd July, 1942. The 2/48th battalion was attempting to capture West Point in a dawn attack. In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter.
‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left, and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept place with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’
The Advertiser in August announced ‘Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Coleman, of Bennett street, West Thebarton, have been notified that their second son, Pte. Eric William Coleman, 29, was killed in action on July 22. Pte. Coleman enlisted in June 1940 and sailed for overseas in November of that year. He served eight months at Tobruk.’ The names of others from his battalion killed in the attack were also named in the report. They included Carl Sims SX8290, Herbert Jones SX7354, Gerald Hayes SX8236, Don Ridley SX6297 and Arthur Davis SX7166 with Sergeant Roger Jacka SX7996 being wounded. The men were initially buried in the field at Tel El Eisa.
With peace declared, in January ’44 Eric, and his fellow soldiers were permanently moved to now rests in the El Alamein War Cemetery on the 2nd April ’43 where he is in Plot XVI Row F Grave 21. His family chose the inscription ‘In our hearts a memory kept of one we will never forget’ for his headstone. Nearby are others from his 2/48th Battalion including 26-year-old Cpl William Glennon 27-year-old Lieutenant Lance Heffron, 26-year-old Harold Scott, 35-year-old Benjamin Parry, 33-year-old Victor Young and 20-year-old Alfred Watts who were killed on the same day as Eric. Others from the 2/2nd, 2/7th ,2/13th and 2/24th are adjacent.
Six years after Eric’s death, his 71-year-old mother, Elizabeth died on July 18th ’48 and was buried in the Hindmarsh Cemetery. Unexpectedly, Eric’s sister Olive Annette died in December ’51. Thomas lived to his 80’s and died in May ’61. All are remembered with Eric on the family headstone.
His family continued to remember Eric in the ensuing years.
Chronicle Thursday 20 August 1942, COLEMAN. —Pte. Eric William, killed in action July 22, second eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Coleman, of West Thebarton, and loving brother of Mavis, Olive, Roma, Victor, violet, Albert.
Advertiser Saturday 22 July 1944, COLEMAN. —In loving memory of our dear son Eric William, killed in action July 22, 1942. —Sadly missed, but always remembered by mother and father. COLEMAN. —In loving memory of my dear brother Eric William, killed in action July 22, 1942. —Always remembered by his loving sisters Olive and Mavis and brother-in-law Jim. COLEMAN. —In loving memory of dear Eric, killed in action July 22 1942. A leaf in the book of memories is gently turned today. —inserted by his brother Albert, and Ivy. COLEMAN. —Loving memory of my dear brother Eric William, killed in action July 22. 1942. Sweet memories never fade. —By his loving sister Roma, brother-in-law Alf, and little nephew Eric. COLEMAN. —In memory of Eric, killed El Alamein. July 22. 1942.—Ever remembered by his brother Vic and sister-in-law Vi.
Advertiser Monday 22 July 1946, COLEMAN. —In memory of our dear son Eric who was killed in action on July 22 1942. Gone, but not forgotten — Inserted by his, mother, father and sister Olive. COLEMAN. —In memory of our brother Eric who lost bis life In action on July 22. 1942.—Ever remembered by sister Roma, Alf and family. COLEMAN. —In loving memory of Eric died four years today. May we be worthy of his sacrifice. —Inserted by Albie and Ivy.
Advertiser Thursday 22 July 1948, COLEMAN. —In loving memory of our brother Eric, killed El Alamein, July 22, 1942. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. —Vic and Violet. COLEMAN. —In loving memory of our son Eric, killed in action. El Alamein July 22 1942. —Always loved and sadly missed by mum, dad and sister. COLEMAN. —In loving memory of our brother Eric killed El Alamein. July 22. 1942. His memory win live for ever. —Roma, Alf and children. COLEMAN. —In loving memory of Eric, killed July 22 1942. Loving memories win last for ever. —lnserted by brother Albert and Ivy.
Advertiser Friday 22 July 1949, COLEMAN. —In loving memory of our son and brother Eric, killed in action, El Alamein, July 22, 1942, late 2/48 Batt.—For ever remembered by father and sister, Olive, Roma, Alf. COLEMAN. —In loving memory of Eric, killed El Alamein, July 22, 1942. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. — Always remembered by Vic, Albert, Ivy and Violet.
Advertiser Saturday 22 July 1950, COLEMAN. — In loving memory of our dear son and brother Eric, killed in action, July 22, 1942. Peacefully sleeping in a soldier's grave. —Dad, Olive, Roma, Maisie and Alf. COLEMAN. — In loving memory of Eric, killed in action El Alamein, July 22, 1942. No words can say. no flowers repay The loss we had eight years today. —Ever remembered by Vic. Albert, Ivy and Violet.
Advertiser Monday 23 July 1951, COLEMAN. — In loving memory if Eric, killed El Alamein, July 22 1942. Ever remembered. — Inserted by Albert and Ivy.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion