| Regimental number | 5346 |
| Place of birth | Bunbury, Western Australia |
| School | State School, Western Australia |
| Religion | Congregational |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | 30 Francis Street, Perth, Western Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 35 |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs S A Coverley, 30 Francis Street, Perth, Western Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 16th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/33/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 16th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Bullecourt, France |
| Age at death | 36 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 36 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France Villers-Bretonneux is a village about 15 km east of Amiens. The Memorial stands on the high ground ('Hill 104') behind the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, Fouilloy, which is about 2 km north of Villers-Bretonneux on the east side of the road to Fouilloy. The Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux is approached through the Military Cemetery, at the end of which is an open grass lawn which leads into a three-sided court. The two pavilions on the left and right are linked by the north and south walls to the back (east) wall, from which rises the focal point of the Memorial, a 105 foot tall tower, of fine ashlar. A staircase leads to an observation platform, 64 feet above the ground, from which further staircases lead to an observation room. This room contains a circular stone tablet with bronze pointers indicating the Somme villages whose names have become synonymous with battles of the Great War; other battle fields in France and Belgium in which Australians fought; and far beyond, Gallipoli and Canberra. On the three walls, which are faced with Portland stone, are the names of 10,885 Australians who were killed in France and who have no known grave. The 'blocking course' above them bears the names of the Australian Battle Honours. After the war an appeal in Australia raised £22,700, of which £12,500 came from Victorian school children, with the request that the majority of the funds be used to build a new school in Villers-Bretonneux. The boys' school opened in May 1927, and contains an inscription stating that the school was the gift of Victorian schoolchildren, twelve hundred of whose fathers are buried in the Villers-Bretonneux cemetery, with the names of many more recorded on the Memorial. Villers-Bretonneux is now twinned with Robinvale, Victoria, which has in its main square a memorial to the links between the two towns. |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 79 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Commemorated in Trinity Uniting (formerly Congregational) Church, Perth, Western Australia. Memorial consists of two arched stained glass windows (inscription left: 'I will not fail thee nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage'; inscription right: 'I have fought the good fight. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.' Centred beneath the windows is a small brass plaque: 'World's War. Commenced 4th August 1914. Armistice signed 11th November 1918. Peace signed 28th June 1919. In the cause of truth combined for the freedom of mankind.' Beneath the windows and flanking the plaque left and right are two larger brass plaques bearing the names of members of the parish who served in the war. Those who died are marked with an asterisk and the words 'These died for us'. Parents: John and Sarah COVERLEY, 267 Rokeby Road, Subiaco, Western Australia |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
