Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Contributed by St Ignatius College, Adelaide

Firstborn child to parents Horace Godfrey Coker (3 August 1877 – 17 September 1930) and Mabel Hilda Scannell (1878 – 3 March 1948), and was later joined by several siblings, Mabel, Violet, Lindsay, and Stanley, Raymond Horace Coker was born on 31st March 1900, in Croydon North, South Australia. In 1902, Coker’s Father moved to Western Australia to work on the railways but was sent home for unknown reasons.12 The family lived at 40 Alexander Street, Prospect, South Australia. During his time in school, Raymond Coker became a boilermaker’s apprentice, before eventually volunteering to join the 1st AIF. On the 17th of February 1917 at only 16 of age. Coker lied about his age, like many others, claiming he was 18 years old, and was cleared to serve. He began training in Australia, before embarking for Egypt aboard the HMAT Ascanius on 11 May 1917 from Melbourne to complete his training. He then served in France until the end of the war after being taken on strength by the 2nd Light Railway Operating Company as a sapper, excluding a stint of leave in England, and a hospitalisation for an unknown injury. He operated machinery, repaired the railways, would run supplies to reserve trenches, and on some instances fought on the frontlines. Most notably, Coker saw action at Ypres, 1918, and recalled witnessing the devastating barrages of artillery.28 While in France, Coker was promoted to the rank of lance corporal on 15/5/18. He served alongside his father, who already had experience operating railways.27

The now 19-year-old Coker returned home to Adelaide alongside his father, Horace on 15/11/1919 after the western front fell silent on 11/11/1918. He returned home a different man, stating when recounting a loss at Ypres in his book Incidents from a Soldiers Life, “I don’t know why I lived; I suppose it was to tell the tale.” In the book he entails his experiences abroad, the emotions he felt, and the lasting effect it had upon him.28  Coker became a cleaning contractor, due to leaving school early, and would also re-enlist in the Militia twice prior to his involvement in the 2nd AIF. On 12/6/1932 he enlisted in the local Militia (reserve) under the 4th M.D, presumably as an infantryman, before discharging on 28/7/34.27

He married Laura Doris Alicia Mary Crabbe, and at age 30 his son John Godfrey Coker was born 7 October 1930.20 However, Coker’s father Horace passed away the month prior on 17 September 1930.30 In 1935, Coker reenlisted in the Militia for the second time on 15 April 1935 at Keswick Barracks SA, and was again posted to 4M.D. The year after, his wife divorced him in April 1936, although it is unclear what became of his son John, aged 6 years at the time. After the divorce, his wife mover interstate, presumably taking John with her.31

During War

Raymond Coker continued his service with the Militia in South Australia even after the breakout of war in Europe, eventually reaching Africa, where Australia faced the Italian and German Afrika korps. Now, Coker had remarried, marrying Sarah Anne Coker, and was now living in Rose Park with his spouse. According to his service and casualty form, Raymond received the promotion to full Corporal on 26/7/1940, from where he then marched into his posting at 4 Military District from 3 Infantry Training Depot Wayville on 1/8/1940, only to return to 3ITD for further training on 29/8/40. He was then promoted to Sergeant on 6/9/40, from where he would the be placed upon the Instructors and Armourers Course at Keswick barracks on 30/9/40, which he would eventually complete on 11/10/40.27

Prior to his transfer to 2nd AIF, Raymond was transferred to No. 3 Training Battalion26 from 3ITD on 31/1/1941, from which his WW1 Service number, S971, was changed to SX11479, a marker of his transition to the full-time force in 2nd AIF. He signed the papers on 22/2/1941 willingly discharged from the Militia on 25/2/1941 and joined the 2nd AIF.27

After joining 2nd AIF, Coker’s rank was changed to Corporal, although he was an acting Sergeant in the Militia, the rank had not been finalised. He was assigned to 4th Reserve Motor Transport company on 3/3/1941. Once again Coker was promoted to the rank of acting Sergeant and would continue to train until his unit embarked from Sydney harbour on 10/5/1941, disembarking in Singapore on 24/5/1941. On 9/8/41 Coker was sent to the Armourers School in Singapore before marching back into his unit on 27/8/41. Coker’s rank was finalised as qualified Corporal on 11/10/41, and he would remain in the position for the rest of the war.27 According to the 4 Reserve Motor Transport company unit diary, on 7/11/1941 Corporal Coker was a part of a 14-man supply run to Jahore Bahru, where they were later joined by a 21-man platoon carrying records and furniture from H.Q from Kuala Lumpar. According to unit diary, throughout March – December 1941, the motor transport company was being over worked and constantly had all its transport vehicles out on 24-hour shifts. Japanese bomber formations persistently flew sorties over their positions, and contact with Japanese patrols north of Singapore were reported to become more frequent as time went on. It was recorded that in November 1941 the unit moved 23,3886 tonnes, and 5,491 personnel around Johore Bahru and Singapore alone, a clear demonstration of the volume of work being accomplished.1 Coker would have been amongst the convoys constantly on the move, carrying supplies and troops around the frontlines, playing a crucial role in the logistics during the defence of Singapore. On 19/11/1941, Coker was evacuated to the 2/4th Casualty Clearing Station likely due to an injury sustained from an early morning air raid persistently conducted by the Imperial Japanese Airforce, and re-joined his unit at Malaya 7 days later, on 26/11/1941,27 which at the time was under the command of a Major J. Harris.1

From December 1941, the 4th Reserve Motor Transport Company was being put under more pressure and receiving increased demand in its workflow. On 1/12, the unit diary reported being on 2nd degree of readiness, meaning all leave for assigned troops was cancelled, made evident by the following days 2-5/12 reported as all vehicles working overtime. On 7/12/41 the unit received 50 additional vehicles with Chinese workers to match the demand of work. 1

On the 15th of February 1942, Singapore fell as the result of the Battle of Singapore from 8-15 February 1942. Majority of the joint Australian, British, and Indian forces were captured.23 Corporal Raymond Coker’s unit was taken POW somewhere between Johore Bahru and Singapore on 15/2/1942 by rapidly advancing Japanese forces. Coker was imprisoned at the Changi Camp with what was known as ‘B’ Force, before they were moved on 8/7/1942, and after 9 days, arrived where all but 6 men of the 2500 would meet their deaths - Sandakan, Borneo.10

Conditions of the Sandakan camp were cramped, unsanitary and horrific. Men were subject to starvation, torture, and execution. From January – March 1945, ‘death marches’ were conducted, culling the numbers. Of 2,500 that arrived, only 2,434 deaths were recorded, with 6 survivors.13

For almost 3 years, Coker endured the brutality of the Japanese at Sandakan, persisting to survive, but around 7/5/1945, Corporal Raymond Horace Coker succumbed to death at 45 years of age.27,22 His remains were never recovered, however, a memorial in the Labuan War Cemetery, Malaysia, in north-west Borneo is dedicated to him.9 His name is inscribed upon his parents (Mabel and Horace Coker) grave in West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide.14

Many families of the POWs had to endure the loss of both the deaths, and then that of many men having no known graves, as did the Coker family. Corporal Raymond “Dick” Horace Coker left behind his wife, Sarah Anne Coker, their son, John Godfrey Coker, his 4 siblings, and his mother Mabel Scannell, who had outlived her husband, and then had to bear the loss of her first-born son.

Bibliography:

Unit War Diaries:

1-      4 Australian Reserve Motor Transport Company:

February – April 1941

July – August 1941

September – October 1941

November – December 1941

January – February 1942

Website references:

2-      “Second World War, 1939–45 | the Australian War Memorial.” Available at:                   Www.awm.gov.au, www.awm.gov.au/articles/second-world-war#:~:text=On%203%20September%201939%20Prime.                                                                          Used for introductory information upon Australian involvement in WW2/Opening

3-      “2nd Australian Light Railway Operating Company - Our Contribution.” Birtwistlewiki.com.au, birtwistlewiki.com.au/wiki/2nd_Australian_Light_Railway_Operating_Company. Used for information on 2nd LROC.

4-      “2nd Light Railway Operating Company.” Vwma.org.au, vwma.org.au/explore/units/1535. used for information on 2nd LROC France 1917 - 1918.

5-      “8th Division (Australia).” Wikipedia, 1 Jan. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8th_Division_(Australia). Used for information on the 8th Division.

6-      “Adelaide South Australian Railways WW1 & WW2 Honour Boards, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.” Vwma.org.au, 2023, vwma.org.au/explore/memorials/1092. used for information on 2LROC.

7-      “Australia, City Directories, 1845-1948 for R. H Coker.” Ancestry.com.au, 2023, www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/60845/images/44409_b220398-00989?pId=55938557. Used for Cokers address post 1930.

8-      CWGC. “Corporal Raymond Horace Coker | War Casualty Details 2561504.” CWGC, www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2561504/raymond-horace-coker/. Used for information of grave of Coker.

9-      ---. “Labuan Memorial | Cemetery Details.” CWGC, www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/2055400/labuan-memorial/. Used for information on grave of Coker.

10-   Department of Veterans’ Affairs; address=21 Genge St, Civic/Canberra City. “A Bitter Fate—Australians in Malaya & Singapore.” Anzac Portal, anzacportal.dva.gov.au/resources/bitter-fate-australians-malaya-singapore. Used for information on POWs.

11-   DVA. “DVA’s Nominal Rolls.” Nominal-Rolls.dva.gov.au, nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=674882&c=WW2#R. Introduction information for Coker.

12-   “Employment Record - Horace Godfrey Coker .” Www.ancestry.com.au, www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/328992:60669. 1902 Employment record in Western Australia Employment record 1879 - 1946.

13-   “General Information about Australian Prisoners of the Japanese | Australian War Memorial.” Www.awm.gov.au, www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/pow/general_info#:~:text=B%20and%20E%20Forces%20were%20sent%20by%20ship. General information on Australian POWs.

14-   “Horace Godfrey Coker (Unknown-1930) - Find A...” Www.findagrave.com, www.findagrave.com/memorial/158488679/horace-godfrey-coker. Used to find grave of Raymond Coker and his parents.

15-   “Horace Godfrey Coker 1877-1930 - Ancestry®.” Www.ancestry.com.au, www.ancestry.com.au/genealogy/records/horace-godfrey-coker-24-8d1rwv. Information on Horace Godfrey Coker, Raymond Coker’s Father.

16-   “Infantry Training Battalions.” Vwma.org.au, vwma.org.au/explore/units/3429. Used for information in infantry training battalions.

17-   “Mabel Hilda Scannell.” Ancestry.com.au, www.ancestry.com.au/family-tree/person/tree/13318186/person/26144765853/story. Used for information on Mabel Hilda Scannell, Raymond Coker’s mother.

18-   “Mabel Hilda Scannell - Ancestory.com.” Ancestory.com.au, www.ancestry.com.au/family-tree/person/tree/13318186/person/26144765853/facts. Used for background information upon Mabel Hilda Scannell .

19-   “Marriage Documents.” Www.ancestry.com.au, www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/5262431:1780. Marriage documents of Horace Godfrey Coker and spouse

20-    “Raymond (Dick) Horace Coker.” Ancestry.com.au , www.ancestry.com.au/family-tree/person/tree/13318186/person/26144711326/story. Used for information of life of Raymond Coker.

21-   “Raymond Horace Coker.” Www.awm.gov.au, www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1693313. VWMA page for Raymond Horace Coker.

22-   “Raymond Horace COKER Memories Timeline.” Memories.net, 12 Apr. 2022, memories.net/timeline/raymondhorace-coker-80606. Information of Raymond Coker’s life.

23-   “Feature Article - Australians at War (Feature Article).” Www.abs.gov.au, 1 Jan. 1988, www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/featurearticlesbytitle/00753BC276CCB154CA2570FF000075A8?OpenDocument#:~:text=Australia%20lost%2034%2C000%20service%20personnel. Used for information on deaths of Australians in ww2.

24-   “The Miraculous Deliverance from a Titanic Tragedy.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/asia-pacific-war-1945#:~:text=WWII%20Poster%20courtesy%20of%20the. Used for information on death tolls in the Pacific Campaign WW2.

25-   “Trove.” Trove.nla.gov.au, trove.nla.gov.au/work/229283921?keyword=Raymond%20Horace%20Coker. Photo front profile of Coker with height .

26-   VWMA. “Infantry Training Battalions.” Vwma.org.au, vwma.org.au/explore/units/3429#:~:text=3%20Infantry%20Training%20Battalion%20%28No%203%20AIF%20Infantry. Used for information on Infantry Training Battalions, specifically 3ITB for Coker.

27-   “COKER RAYMOND HORACE : Service Number - SX11479 : Date of Birth - 31 Mar 1900 : Place of Birth - ADELAIDE SA : Place of Enlistment - ADELAIDE SA : Next of Kin - COKER SARAH.” National Archives of Australia, 1914, recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6389462&S=34&R=0. Coker’s Service record WW1 - WW2.

Books:

28-   “ Incidents from a soldier’s life” by R.H Coker, Published 1921.

News Articles:

29-   “Motor Cycle Outfit Damaged by Fire.” Advertiser, 2 Aug. 1935, trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/40063764?searchTerm=Raymond%20Horace%20Coker. Used for information on Coker pre WW2.

30-   “Family Notices - Deaths.” Register News-Pictorial, 19 Sept. 1930, trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/54153301?searchTerm=Raymond%20Horace%20Coker. Raymond Coker’s father death notice in news, Horace Godfrey Coker.

31-   “Divorces Granted.” Advertiser, 16 Apr. 1936, trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/35424477?searchTerm=Raymond%20Horace%20Coker. Raymond Coker Divorce 1936 information.

Lest we forget, Corporal Raymond “Dick” Horace Coker, 31 March 1900 – 07 May 1945 SX11479