Coo-ee March Roll of Honour

Stephen and I have found through our research on the 263 men who were recruited on the 1915 Gilgandra to Sydney Coo-ee March, that 41 of them died while on active service overseas during WWI.

Stephen and I visited the graves of the fallen Coo-ees in France, Belgium and England in 2012, 2014, and 2016. During our 2016 visit we took a travelling wreath to rest on  each of their graves.  The Coo-ee March 2015 Inc. (Gilgandra Sub-Committee) provided the purple Coo-ee “badge” ribbon that we placed on our wreath, which had been created to be worn by the marchers during the 2015 Coo-ee March Re-enactment in memory of the purple “badges” worn by the original Coo-ees during the 1915 Coo-ee March.  We left an Australian flag and a commemorative information card on each of their graves.

4730 Private Harold BAXTER

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Harold Baxter was born at Illford, Essex, England.  He gave his age as 22 years and 4 months (though he was actually only 18 years and 4 months at the time), his marital status as single, and his occupation as a farm labourer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Gilgandra. He was attested at Gilgandra on 9^th October 1915, and completed his medical examination on the 10^th October 1915 at Gilgandra.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916, with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  He was transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt on 19^th April 1916.

Private Baxter was killed in action on 22^nd November 1916, near Guedecourt, France.  His age at death is listed at 20 years on his headstone, but he was only 19 year and 6 months of age when de died.

He was buried at the Bancourt British Cemetery, at Bancourt, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/05/01/harold-baxter/

 

4460 Private Charles William Gordon CONROY

54th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Charles William Gordon Conroy was born at Thames, New Zealand.  He gave his age as 41 years and 6 months, his marital status as married, and his occupation as chemist, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Orange.  He was attested, and completed his medical examination, at Orange on 25^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A70 Ballarat on 16^th February 1916, with the 14^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  He was transferred to the 54^th Australian Infantry Battalion in Egypt on 1^st April 1916.

Private Conroy was killed in action on 19^th/20^th July 1916, during the Battle of Fromelles, aged 42 years.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on Panel 10 at the V.C. Corner  Australian Cemetery and Memorial at Fromelles, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/04/07/charles-william-gordon-conroy/

 

4757 Private Bernard COYTE

13th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Bernard Coyte was born at Borenore, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 21 years and 1 month, his marital status as single, and his occupation as farmer & labourer when he enlisted.  He completed his medical examination and was attested at Orange on 14^th October 1915. He joined the Coo-ee March when the Coo-ees arrived at Orange on 23^rd October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916, with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.

Private Coyte was killed in action on 18^th September 1918, in the vicinity of Le Verguier, France, aged 24 years.

He was buried at the Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension at Jeancourt, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/03/31/bernard-coyte/

 

4753 Private James CRAWFORD

13th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

James Crawford was born in Glasgow, Scotland.  He gave his age as 38 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as farmer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Gilgandra.  He completed his medical on 8^th October 1915 at Gilgandra, and was attested on 9^th October 1915 at Gilgandra.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916, with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.

Private Crawford was wounded in action near Mouquet Farm, France, on 31^st August 1916.  He died of his wounds at the 49^th Casualty Clearing Station on 3^rd September 1916, aged 46 years.

He was buried at the Contay British Cemetery at Contay, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/05/30/james-crawford/

 

Lieutenant Harry DAVENPORT

4th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Harry Davenport (aka Harry Swendson) stated on his Attestation Paper that he was born in Toronto, Canada ( but he was actually born at Hawthorn, Atchison County, Kansas).  He gave his age as 41 years (though he appears to have been several years younger), his marital status as widower, and his occupation as billiard table proprietor, when he enlisted.  He was on of the men who stepped forward and gave his name when the Coo-ees recruited in Wongarbon on 14^th October 1915.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Orange.  He completed his medical examination, and was attested at Orange on 24^th October 1915.

After attending the A.I.F. Officer Training School at Duntroon, Second Lieutenant Davenport embarked for active service from Sydney on SS Port Nicholson on 8^th November 1916, as part of the 22^nd reinforcement for the 4^th Infantry Battalion.  He was promoted to Lieutenant on 16^th July 1917.

Lieutenant Davenport  was wounded in action on 4^th October 1917, at Broodseinde Ridge, Belgium.  He died of his wounds that same day, aged 35 years.  He was buried at Broodenside Ridge, however his grave marker was destroyed in further fighting.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/12/21/harry-davenport-aka-harry-swendson/

 

4759 Private Harold Brooks DAVIS

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Harold Brooks Davis was born at Parramatta, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 18 years (although he was actually only 14 years and 8 months old at this time), his marital status as single, and his occupation as plumber, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March in the Blue Mountains on 8^th November 1915.  He completed his medical examination and was attested at Ashfield on 11^th November 1915.  He was the youngest of the Coo-ees to enlist.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916, with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  He was transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt on 19^th April 1916.

Private Davis was wounded in action on 21^st February 1917 in the vicinity of Guedecourt, France.  He was evacuated to the 6^th General Hospital, at Rouen, France. He died of his wounds on 28^th February 1917, the day before his 16^th birthday.  His age is recorded as 16 years on his headstone.

He was buried at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/05/04/harold-brooks-davis/

 

3017B Private Allan James DENMEAD

19^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Allan James Denmead was born at Goulburn, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 27 years and 8 months, his marital status as married, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Bathurst.  He was attested at Bathurst on 28^th October 1915.  He did not complete a medical examination on the Coo-ee March.

He was initially discharged as medically unfit with varicous veins on 13^th December 1916, but he successfully re-enlisted at Bathurst on 28^th June 1916.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A 11 Ascanius on 26^th October 1916 with the 7^th reinforcements for the 53^rd Battalion.  He was transferred to the 19^th Battalion after he arrived in England in early 1917.

Private Denmead was killed in action on 3^rd May 1917 during an attack on the Hindenburg Line at Bullecourt, France, aged 29 years.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Villers Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/tag/allan-james-denmead/

 

6251 Private Francis Charles FINLAYSON

13th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Francis Charles Finlayson was born at Redfern, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 28 years, his marital status as married, and his occupation as book keeper, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Parramatta.   He completed his medical examination and was attested at Parramatta on 11^th November 1915.

Acting Corporal Finlayson embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A14 Euripides on 9^th September 1916, with the 20^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  He reverted to the rand of Private on arrival in France on 17^th January 1917.

Private Finlayson was killed in action on 4^th February 1917 in an attack on the German trenches in the vicinity of Guedecourt, France, aged 29 years.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the on Villers Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/tag/francis-charles-finlayson/

 

6289 Sapper Charles Arthur FINN

13th Field Company, Australian Engineers, A.I.F.

Charles Arthur Finn was born at Mt McDonald, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 27 years and 3 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as blacksmith, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Gilgandra.   He completed his medical on 7^th October 1915 at Gilgandra and was attested on 9^th October 1915 at Gilgandra.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A26 Armadale on the 21^st of March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 1^st Field Company Engineers.  Sapper Finn was transferred to the 13^th Field Company Engineers on 27^th August 1916.

Sapper Finn was killed in action on 7^th April 1917 in the vicinity of Bapaume, France, aged 29 years.

He was buried at the H.A.C. British Cemetery, Ecoust-St. Mein, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/05/30/charles-arthur-finn/

 

4789 Gunner Charles Alfred HAMPSON

10th Field Artillery Brigade A.I.F.

Charles Alfred Hampson was born at Petersham, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 17 years and 8 months (although he was actually only 16 years and 8 months at this time), his marital status as single, and his occupation as machinist, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Lithgow.  He completed his medical on 31^st October 1915 at Lithgow, and was attested at Lithgow on the 1^st November 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916, with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.

On 16^th April 1915 Gunner Hampson was transferred to the 4^th Division Artillery at Tel-el-Kebir (along with his father Lightfoot).

Gunner Hampson was killed in action on 28^th April 1917 during the Battle of Bullecourt, France.  Although his age is listed as 19 years on his headstone, he was only 18 years and 2 months old when he died.

He was buried at the H.A.C. Cemetery, Ecoust-St. Mein, Arras, Nord Pas de Calais, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/04/12/charles-alfred-hampson/

 

4791 Private Oliver James HARMON

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

Oliver James Harmon was born at Redfern, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 31 years and 11 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as boiler makers’ assistant, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Parramatta.  He completed his medical examination on 10^th November 1915 at Parramatta, and was attested at Ashfield on 11^th November 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion on 8^th March 1916.  On 16^th April 1916 Private Harmon was transferred to the 4^th Pioneer Battalion at Tel-El-Kebir, Egypt.

Private Harmon was killed in action in the Battle of Pozieres on 6^th August 1916, aged 32 years.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/?s=oliver+harmon

 

1677 Corporal William Thomas HITCHEN

45^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

William “Bill” Thomas Hitchen was born at Mudgee, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 44 years and 2 months (although he was 51 years old at the time), his marital status as married, and his occupation as plumber, when he enlisted.  “Captain” Bill Hitchen was the leader of the Coo-ee March.  His official enlistment date is 10^th October 1915, the date the Coo-ee March commenced in Gilgandra.  However, he did not complete his medical examination and attestation until the 24^th February 1916 at Bathurst, after he assisted in organising the Kookaburra March from Tooraweenah to Bathurst in early 1916.  He was allocated to the 2^nd reinforcements to the 45^th Battalion as Corporal.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A40 Ceramic on the 14^th of April 1916.  After further training in Egypt, he embarked from Alexandria on the 6^th of June 1916.  Soon after arriving at Plymouth, England, he was admitted to the 1^st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield Park on 21^st June 1916 with Melanotic Sarcoma, where he died of this illness on 3^rd September 1916.  His age was recorded as 44 years on his headstone.

He was buried at the Harefield (St. Mary’s) Churchyard at Harefield, England.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/08/19/william-thomas-hitchen/

 

2196 Private Percy Walter HOLPEN

46th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Percy Walter Holpen was born at Brisbane, Queensland.  He gave his age as 21 years and 11 months (athough he was actually only 17 years and 9 months at this time), his marital status as single, and his occupation as carter, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Wellington.  He did a preliminary medical examination at Wellington on 16^th October 1915, and was provisionally accepted for enlistment at Dripstone on the 19^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A26 Armadale on 21^st March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 1^st Light Horse Regiment.  He was transferred to the 46^th Battalion in France on 10^th July 1916.

Private Holpen died of illness (Influenza) on 26^th November 1918 at the 30^th General Hospital, Calais, France, aged 20 years.

He was buried at Les Baraques Military Cemetery at Calais, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/01/01/percy-walter-holpen/

 

1887 Private Frank HUMPHREY

60th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Frank Humphrey was born at Hull, Yorkshire, England. He gave his age as 33 years and 3 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as bricklayer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Gilgandra.  He completed his medical examination and was attested at Gilgandra on 9^th October 1915.

He was discharged with his services no longer required at Liverpool Camp on 4^th January 1916.  However he re-enlisted at Wangaratta in Victoria on 11^th February 1916.

He embarked for active service from Melbourne on HMAT A17 Port Lincoln on 1^st May 1916 with the 3^rd reinforcements for the 60^th Battalion.

Soon after his arrival in France, Private Humphrey died of illness (Bacillary Dysentery) on 23^rd August 1916 at the 7^th Canadian Stationary Hospital at Le Harve, France, aged 34 years.

He was buried at Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Harvre, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/12/27/frank-humphrey/

 

4807 Private William Emerton HUNTER

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

William Emerton Hunter was born at Sydney, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 21 years and 1 month, his marital status as single, and his occupation as wheat lumper, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Geurie.  He completed his medical examination on 16^th October 1915 at Wellington, and was attested at Dripstone on 19^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England  on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 19^th April 1916 Private Hunter was transferred to the 45^th Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir.

Private Hunter was killed in action on 7^th August 1916, in the vicinity of Pozieres, France, aged 21 years.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux  Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/02/01/william-emerton-hunter/

 

 

4816 Private Thomas JACKSON

13^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Thomas Jackson was born at Longford, Derby, Derbyshire, England.  He gave his age as 32 years and 2 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Geurie.  He completed his medical examination on 16^th October 1915 at Wellington, and was attested at Dripstone on 19^th October 1915

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.

Private Jackson was killed in action on 16^th June 1917, in the vicinity of Messines, Belgium, aged 33 years.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/07/04/thomas-jackson/

 

4817 Private Alan Chesher JOHNSON

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Alan Chesher [Chester] Johnson (aka Alan Cheshyre Janion) was born at Liverpool, England.  He gave his age as 33 years (though this may not have been correct), his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Wellington.  He completed his medical examination on 16^th October 1915 at Wellington, and was attested at Dripstone on the 19^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 19^th April 1916 he transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

Private Johnson was killed in action on 7^th June 1917 in the vicinity of Messines, Belgium.  His age at time of death was listed as 31 years on his AWM Roll of Honour Circular.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/11/23/alan-chesher-johnson-alan-cheshyre-janion/

 

384 Lance Corporal Darcy KEATING

4th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Darcy Keating was born at Warren, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 21 years and 6 months (though it appears that he was younger), his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Wellington.  He completed his medical on16^th October 1915 at Wellington, and was attested at Mumbil on 19^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A46 Clan McGillivray on 3^rd May 1916 with the 2^nd reinforcements for the 1^st Anzac Cyclist Battalion.

Private Keating on 7^th September 1916 was transferred to the 1^st Training Battalion at Perham Downs, England.  He joined the 4^th Australian Infantry Battalion in France on 5^th November 1916.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 15^th July 1917.

Lance Corporal Keating was killed in action on 4^th October 1917 in the vicinity of Broodseinde Ridge, Belgium.  His age was recorded as 20 years at time of death on his AWM Roll of Honour Circular.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/12/01/darcy-keating/

 

5489 Private Lewis LEOVILLE

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Lewis (Louis) Leoville was born at Marseilles, France.  He gave his age as 41 years, his marital status as married, and his occupation as barber.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Lithgow.  He completed his medical on 3^rdNovember 1915 at Lithgow, and was attested at Lithgow on the same day.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A71 Nestor on 9^th April 1916, with the 17^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  He was transferred to the 45^th Battalion on 20^th May 1916 in Egypt.

Private Leoville was wounded in action in the vicinity of Pozieres, France, on 8^th August 1916.  He died of his wounds later that day, aged 42 years.

He was buried at Warloy-Baillon Communal Extension Cemetery, at Warloy-Baillon, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/01/24/lewis-leoville/

 

4832 Private Spencer John LETCHER

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Spencer John Letcher was born at Cowra, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 18 years and 1 month (although he was actually only 16 years and 7 months at that time), his marital status as single, and his occupation as painter, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Bathurst.  He completed his medical examination and was attested at Bathurst on 28^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 19^th April 1916 he transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

Private Letcher was killed in action on 6^th August 1916 in vicinity of Pozieres, France.  Although his age was recorded as 18 years on his headstone, he was actually only 17 years and 4 months at the time of his death.

He was buried at the A.I.F. Burial Ground, at Flers, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/01/24/spencer-john-letcher/

 

4830 Private Samuel LUKE

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

Samuel Luke was born at St. Marys, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 38 years and 11 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at St. Marys.  . He completed his medical examination and was attested at Ashfield on 11^th November 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 25^th April 1916 he transferred to the 4^th Pioneer Battalion at Serapeum, Egypt.

Private Luke was killed in action on 21^st April 1917 during the 1^st Battle of Bullecourt in the vicinity of Vaulx-Vraucourt, France, aged 40 years.

He was buried at the Vaulx Hill Cemetery, at Vaulx-Vraucourt, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/04/06/samuel-luke

 

4840 Lance Corporal Laurence Leslie MAGUIRE

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Laurence Leslie Maguire was born at Gilgandra, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 25 years and 11 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Gilgandra.  He completed his medical examination at Gilgandra on 8^th October 1915, and was attested at Gilgandra on 9^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 20^th May 1916 he transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 1^st November 1917.

Lance Corporal Maguire was killed in action on 2^nd April 1918, in the vicinity of Dernacourt, France.  He was buried near Albert, but after the war his grave could not be located.

His age at time of death was recorded as 28 years on his AWM Roll of Honour Circular.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/06/28/laurence-leslie-maguire/

 

4541 Corporal John MARTIN

54th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

John Martin was born at Melbourne, Victoria.  He gave his age as 34 years 10 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Molong.  He completed his medical examination and was attested at Molong on 22^nd October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A70 Ballarat on 16^th February 1916 with the 14^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 1^st April 1916 he was transferred to the 54^th Battalion at Ferry Post, Egypt.

He was promoted to Corporal on 27^th May 1917.

Corporal Martin was killed in action on 1^st September 1918 at Peronne, France, aged 38 years.

He was buried at the Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, at Peronne, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/03/22/john-martin/

 

4858 Gunner Wilfred Ernest MCDONALD

4th Division Heavy and Medium Trench Mortar Battery Field Artillery A.I.F.

Wilfred Ernest McDonald was born at Dubbo, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 21 years and 1 month, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer.  He completed his medical on the 8^th October at Gilgandra before the beginning of the Coo-ee March.  He presented to join the Coo-ee March at his home town of Wongarbon on 14^th October 1915. He was attested at Stuart Town on 19^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On the 16^th of April 1916 he transferred to the 4^th Division Artillery at Telelkebir.  On the 27^th May 1916 he was taken on strength of the 4^th Division Ammunition Column.  On the 25th June 1916 Gunner McDonald was transferred to the V4 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery.

Gunner McDonald was killed in action on 3^rd May 1917 between Ecoust and Bullecourt in France, aged 22 years.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/07/01/wilfred-ernest-mcdonald/

 

4920 Private Edward Joseph MCGARRY

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

Edward Joseph McGarry was born at Kelso, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 35 years and 8 months, his marital status as married, and his occupation as fuelman, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Bathurst.  He was attested at Bathurst on 28^th October 1915, but did not complete his medical until 13^th November October 1915 at Liverpool.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 16^th April 1916 he transferred to the 4^th Pioneer Battalion in Egypt.

Private McGarry was wounded in action on 12^th December 1916 in the vicinity of Longueval, France.  He died of his wounds the next day on 13^th December 1916 at the 38^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly, France, aged 35 years (per his headstone and AWM Roll of Honour Circular).

He was buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, at Mericourt-L’Abbe, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/01/02/edward-joseph-mcgarry/

 

4857 Private Joseph Raymond MCGUIRE

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Joseph Raymond McGuire was born at Redfern, N.S.W. He gave his age as 33 years and 10 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as tinworker labourer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March on 11^th November 1915, the day the Coo-ees marched from Parramatta to Ashfield. He completed his medical examination and was attested at Ashfield on 11^th November 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 19^th April 1916 he transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

Private McGuire was wounded in action on 29^th September 1917 in the vicinity of Westhoek Ridge, Belgium.  He was evacuated to the 10^th Casualty Clearing Station, but died of his wounds later the same day, aged 36 years.

He was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, at Lijssentoek, Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/10/19/joseph-raymond-mcguire/

 

2708 Private Archibald MCINTYRE

56^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Archibald McIntyre was born at Glasgow, Scotland.  He gave his age as 31 years and 6 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Blayney.  He completed his medical examination and was attested at Blayney on 26^th October 1915.

He was discharged at Liverpool Camp on 29^th November 1915 for defective vision.  He successfully re-enlisted on 19^th May 1916 at Sydney, passing his medical examination on 19^th May 1916, and was attested at the Royal Agricultural Showground at Sydney on 20^th May 1916.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A40 Ceramic on 7^th October 1916 with the 6^th reinforcements for the 56^th Battalion.

Private McIntyre was with the 56^th Battalion in France when he was evacuated to hospital sick on 22^nd March 1917.  He died of illness (Cerebro Spinal Meningitis) on 26^th March 1917 at the South Midland Casualty Clearing Station Puchevillers, France, aged 32 years.

He was buried at Puchevillers British Cemetery, at Puchevillers, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/02/11/archibald-mcintyre/

 

4849 Private Jack MORRIS

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Charles James “Jack” Morris was born at Pennant Hills, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 18 years and 1 month, his marital status as single, and his occupation as rivetter, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Parramatta.  He completed his medical examination and was attested at Parramatta on 11^th November 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 19^th April 1916 he transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

Private Morris was killed in action on the night of 5^th/6^th August 1916, in the vicinity of Pozieres, France, aged 18 years.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/06/07/jack-morris/

 

2369 Trooper William Henry NICHOLLS

7th Light Horse Regiment A.I.F.

William Henry Nicholls was born at Camperdown, Sydney, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 27 years and 6 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as contractor, when he enlisted.  He completed his medical examination at Coonamble on 2^nd October 1915, and was attested at Dubbo on 21^st October 1915, before joining the Coo-ee March at Molong.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT Palermo on 18^th April 1916 with the 16^th reinforcements for the 7^th Light Horse Regiment.

Trooper Nicholls was killed in action on 7^th May 1918 when enemy aeroplanes bombed the camp of the 7^th Light Horse Regiment  at Jericho, Palestine.  He was aged 30 years.

He was buried at the Jerusalem War Cemetery at Jerusalem, Israel.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/07/05/william-henry-nicholls/

 

4865 Private Karl ALEX FREDERICK NIELSEN

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

Karl Alex Frederick Nielson  (aka Karl Frederik Nielsen) was born at Sjelland, Denmark.  He gave his age as 24 years and 11 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as bushman, when he enlisted.  Although he was not attested and did not complete his medical examination until 13^th November 1915 at Liverpool, his date of joining on the nominal roll was recorded as the 8^th November 1915, when the Coo-ees were on their way from Lawson to Springwood. Per The Blue Mountains Echo he was one of three recruits to join the Coo-ees from Hazelbrook.

 

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 16^th April 1916 he transferred to the 4^th Pioneer Battalion in Egypt.

Private Nielsen was killed in action on 6^th August 1916 in the vicinity of Pozieres, France, aged 25 years.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/06/20/karl-alex-frederick-nielson/

 

7048 Private Patrick Joseph O’LOUGHLIN

3^rd Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Patrick Joseph O’Loughlin (O’Loughlen) was born at Ballyvaugan, County Clare, Ireland.  He gave his age as 27 years and 8 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted.  He was one of the four recruits sent by the Parkes Recruiting Association to join the Coo-ees at Molong.  He completed his medical examination at Molong on 22^nd October 1915, and was attested at Molong (8 miles east) on 22^nd October 1915.

He was discharged medically unfit (varicose veins) on 29^th November 1915.  However he successfully re-enlisted at Dubbo Army Camp on 27^th October 1916.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A24 Benalla on 9^th November 1916 with the 23^rd reinforcements for the 3^rd Battalion.

Private O’Loughlin was killed in action on 18^th September 1917 in the vicinity of Dickebusch, near Ypres, in Belgium, aged 29 years.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/11/30/patrick-joseph-oloughlin-oloughlen/

 

6199 Private James O’NEILL

18th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

James O’Neill was born at Hay, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 35 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Wellington.  completed his medical examination on 17^th October 1915 at Wellington, and was attested on 19^th October 1915 at Stuart Town.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A11 Ascanius on 25^th October 1916 with the 17^th reinforcements for the 18^th Battalion.

Private O’Neill was wounded in action on 19^th September 1917 at Bellewaarde Ridge, Belgium.  He was evacuated to the 3^rd Australian Field Ambulance, where he died of his wounds later that day, aged 37 years.

He was buried at Menin Road South Military Cemetery, at Iepers, Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/10/19/james-oneill/

 

 4866 Private Joseph PARRISH

4th Machine Gun Battalion A.I.F.

Joseph Parrish was born at Monmouthshire, Wales.  He gave his age as 18 years and 5 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as miner, when he enlisted.  He presented to join the Coo-ees at Wellington.  He completed his medical examination on 16^th October 1915 at Wellington, then joined the Coo-ees at Orange, where he was attested at Orange on the 24^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On the 16^th April 1916 Private Parrish was transferred to the 4th Pioneer Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir.

On the 12th May 1918 Private Parrish was transferred to the 4th Machine Gun Battalion.

Private Parrish was wounded in action on 10^th June 1918 in the vicinity of Villers-Bretonneux, France. He died of his wounds on 27^th June 1918 at the 53^rd General Hospital at Abbeville, France, aged 21 years.

He was buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, at Wimille, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/01/29/joseph-parrish/

 

4886 Private Arthur Charles REID

4^th Division Medium Trench Mortar Battery A.I.F.

Arthur Charles Reid (Read) was born at Forbes, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 25 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as shearing machine expert, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March by the time the Coo-ees reached Katoomba.  He was attested on 5^th November at Katoomba, and completed his medical examination on 6^th November 1915 at Lawson.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 16^th April 1916 Private Reid transferred to the 4^th Division Artillery and his rank designation changed to Gunner.  On the 25^th June 1916 he was taken on strength of the 4^th Division Medium Trench Mortar Battery in France.

Gunner Reid was wounded in action on 8^th September 1916 in the vicinity of Vierssraat, Belgium.  He was evacuated to the 11^th Canadian Field Ambulance, where he died of his wounds the next day on 9^th September 1916, aged 25 years.

He was buried at La Clytte Military Cemetery, De Klitje, Flanders, Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/11/15/arthur-charles-reid/

 

4891 Private John Thomas SMITH

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

John Thomas Smith was born at Wigan, Lancashire, England.  He gave his age as 30 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as miner, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Wellington.  He completed his medical examination on 16^th October 1915 at Wellington, and was attested on 19^th October 1915 at Stuart Town.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 25^th April 1916 he transferred to the 4^th Pioneer Battalion at Tel-el Kebir.

Private Smith was wounded in action on 5^th April 1918 near Henencourt Wood, France. He was evacuated to England, and died of his wounds on 23^rd April 1918 at the Dorset County Hospital, England, aged 33 years.

He was buried at Melcombe Regis Cemetery, at Dorset, England.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/12/26/john-thomas-smith/

 

6320 Private Stanley Everard STEPHENS

13th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Stanley Everard Stephens was born at Melbourne, Victoria. He gave his age as 24 years and 11 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as journalist, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Gilgandra.  He completed his medical examination and was attested at Gilgandra on 9^th October 1915.  On the march he was given the rank of Acting Sergeant, and was appointed Secretary of the travelling committee of control appointed for the Coo-ee March at Stuart Town.  .

Acting Sergeant Stephens embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A14 Euripides on 9th September 1916 as 20^th reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On 22^nd December 1916 he arrived at the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France, where he reverted to the rank of Private.

Acting Sergeant Stephens departed Sydney on the HMAT A14 Euripides on 9th September 1916 as 20^th reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

His rank reverted to Private when he arrived in France on 22^nd December 1916.

Private Stephens was killed in action on 11^th April 1917 during an attack on the Hindenburg Line near Bullecourt, France, aged 26 years.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/10/04/stanley-everard-stephens/

 

4605 Private John TARLINGTON

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

John Tarlington was born at Glen Innes, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 38 years and 7 months, his marital status as married, and his occupation as laborer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Blayney.  He completed his medical examination and was attested at Blayney on 26^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A70 Ballarat on 16^th February 1916 with the 14^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 1^st April 1916 he was transferred to the 54^th Battalion at Ferry Post, Egypt.  On 23^rd May 1916 Private Tarlington was transferred to the 4^th Pioneer Battalion in Egypt.

Private Tarlington was killed in action on 6^th August 1916 in the vicinity of Pozieres, France, aged 39 years.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/05/24/john-tarlington/

 

4903 Sergeant Thomas THORNE

13^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

 Thomas Thorne was born at Hay, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 22 years and 2 months, his marital status as married, and his occupation as motor driver, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Lawson, and was attested at Lawson on the 7^th November 1915.  He completed his medical examination at Liverpool on 13^th November 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  He arrived in Egypt on 11^th April 1916, and he was admitted to the 31^st General Hospital at Port Said, Egypt, on the same day.  He was discharged for duty on 21^st May 1916.

Acting Sergeant Thorne was admitted to Devonport Military Hospital on his arrival in England, and he died of Pneumonia two days later on 18^th June 1916, aged 23 years.  He was the first of the Coo-ees to die on active service.

He was buried at Plymouth (Efford) Cemetery, at Plymouth, England.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/12/26/thomas-thorne/

 

4617 Private Joseph Patrick WALLIS

54th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Joseph Patrick Wallis (aka Joseph Patrick Wailes) was born at Darlinghurst, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 18 years and 4 months (although he was actually 17 years and 1 month old at that time), his marital status as single, and his occupation as seaman, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Dubbo.  He completed his medical examination and was attested at Dubbo on 13^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A70 Ballarat on 16^th February 1916 with the 14^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 1^st April 1916 he was transferred to the 54^th Battalion I Egypt.

Private Wallis was killed in action on 20^th July 1916 during Battle of Fromelles, France.

He was buried at Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, Fromelles, France.  Although his headstone records his age as 19 years, he was actually only 17 years and 10 months when he died.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/06/01/joseph-patrick-wallis/

 

4917 Private William WEBBER

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

William Webber was born at Granville, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 23 years and 5 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as fitter, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March on 11^th November 1915, the day the Coo-ees marched from Parramatta to Ashfield.  He completed his medical examination and was attested at Ashfield on 11^th November 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 19^th April 1916 he transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

Private Webber was killed in action on 6^th April 1918 in the vicinity of Dernacourt, France, aged 26 years.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/06/08/william-webber/

 

4910 Private Rowland John WILSON

45^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Rowland John Wilson was born at Tallawang, N.S.W.  He gave his age as 24 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted.  He joined the Coo-ee March at Lawson.  He was attested at Lawson on 7^th November 1915.  He completed his medical examination at Liverpool on 15^th November 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.  On 19^th April 1916 he transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

Private Wilson was killed in action on the night of the 7^th/8^th August 1916 in the Battle of Pozieres between Pozieres and Martinpuich, aged 24 years.

He has no known grave.  His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/06/20/rowland-john-wilson/