Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Harry Chambers Coakley was born 20 Jul 1912 at Mackay, the son of Harry and Anna Coakley. In 1941 Harry was working at as a Labourer at Wooroolin. He joined the Australian Army on 24 Jun 1941 at Maryborough giving his father as NOK. Harry served in the Middle east from 1 Sep 1941 to 31 Mar 1941 and New Guinea from 10 Aug 1942 to 20 Jul 1943. He also served in the Northern Territory from Jul 1943 to Feb 1944.
I got confused reading this man’s Army records as it seems he was in lots of different units but believe they were all to so with “Mobile Laundry and Bath Units”.
Another learning curve for me! The Mobile Laundry and Bath Company intended to provide bathing facilities and wash soldiers underclothing. The laundry function was supported by carrying a stock of underclothing from which a set could be issued to each man after bathing. Cast off underclothing was then washed and returned to stock for subsequent reissue. Sewing machines would be provided as part of the Company’s equipment to allow “Stich in time” repairs as part of the clothing exchange process.
It also seems that the Unit was involved in malaria control spraying as well as installing a new bath unit for the burns unit at 119 AGH.
Harry Coakley was discharged 14 May 1946 at Brisbane after working at the Brisbane Military Hospital in the Maintenance Unit.
Harry moved to New Zealand about 1950 and returned to Mackay about 1970. He died in 1979 and is buried at Walkerston Cemetery.
Lest We Forget