KOHLER, William Herbert
| Service Numbers: | 946, Q187000, Q89614 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 March 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Infantry Training Battalions |
| Born: | Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, 11 August 1885 |
| Home Town: | Newcastle, Hunter Region, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Painter |
| Died: | Bribie Island, Queensland, Australia, 30 December 1948, aged 63 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld Anzac Portion 7 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 10 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 946, 36th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 946, 36th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Beltana embarkation_ship_number: A72 public_note: '' | |
| 13 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 946, 36th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Beltana, Sydney | |
| 25 Mar 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 946, 33rd Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD |
World War 2 Service
| 18 Oct 1939: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, Q187000, 1 Garrison Battalion (QLD) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Dec 1939: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, Q187000, 1 Garrison Battalion (QLD) | |
| 5 Aug 1941: | Involvement Private, Q89614 | |
| 5 Aug 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, Q89614, Infantry Training Battalions | |
| 5 Aug 1941: | Enlisted | |
| 29 Sep 1942: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, Q89614, Infantry Training Battalions | |
| 29 Sep 1942: | Discharged |
Help us honour William Herbert Kohler's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Australian Remembrance Army
Private Wilhelm Kohler (Served as William Herbert Kohler, Service Numbers: WWI 946, WWII Q89614), an Australian who served in both World Wars One, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now honoured with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.
On 15 April 2023, we unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery, along with a further 246 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page
William Kohler was born on 11 August 1883 in Rockhampton, Queensland, to Andrew and Anne Kohler (née Parr). He married Mary Agnes Mortimer in Brisbane on 7 April 1909.
William enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 10 March 1916 at Newcastle, New South Wales, aged 31, giving his occupation as painter. He embarked from Sydney on 13 May 1916 aboard HMAT Beltana with the 36th Battalion. Minor disciplinary matters occurred during training, but he completed his preparation and proceeded to France on 22 November 1916.
On 12 June 1917 he was wounded in action in Belgium and sent to England for treatment before rejoining his battalion in August. He was wounded again on 12 October 1917 and admitted to Berrington War Hospital with a gunshot wound to the left upper arm. Around this time the Brigade Commander formally commended him for “conspicuous bravery and gallantry.”
He returned to the front in early 1918, and on 22 August 1918 was wounded in action for the third time, suffering a severe gunshot wound to the right thigh. He spent the remaining months of the war in hospitals and convalescent depots in England before being transferred to the 33rd Battalion during recovery. He returned to Australia on Aeneas and was discharged on 25 March 1919.
Two of his brothers also served during the First World War: Ludwig “Louis” Kohler (Service No. 1416), buried in South Brisbane Cemetery, and Stewart Greer Kohler (Service No. 25), buried in Lutwyche Cemetery.
After the war he lived in the Wynnum area of Brisbane and worked as a painter.
Kohler enlisted again during the Second World War, serving in Brisbane with the Citizens Military Forces and undertaking home-defence duties in Queensland. He was discharged on 24 October 1942.
Private William Herbert Kohler died at Bribie Island on 30 December 1948, aged 65, and was buried the following day in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery. His death registration notes that he had four daughters, all of whom predeceased him. He and Agnes divorced in 1928.
After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.
We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.
Click images to start slideshow.