| Regimental number | 398 |
| Place of birth | Queenstown, Ireland |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Seaman |
| Address | 10 Crescent Street, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 36 |
| Height | 5' 10" |
| Weight | 143 lbs |
| Next of kin | Brother, Cornelius Coakley, Portsmouth, near Boston, USA |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 3rd Pioneer Battalion, B Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 14/15/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on |
| Regimental number from Nominal Roll | 328 |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 3rd Pioneer Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Work near Cerisy on 8 August 1918. Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Photo: Robert and Sandra Crofts |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'On the morning of the 8th August, 1918, No. 398 J. COAKLEY, was in charge of works - repairing roads in the long valley about 3,000 yards south west of CERISY, about Q.13 - which were necessary to be in a fit state for artillery and other transport at an early hour, in order that the advance might be carried on to its final objective. Owing greatly to the way in which Corporal COAKELY handled his men under hostile machine gun and artillery fire, and the rapidity with which he got his men onto their works, the successful completion of the work was finally due. Throughout the whole operations he showed a splendid example of keenness and devotion to duty which is essential for the carrying out of urgent works of this nature.'
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| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Melbourne, 6 June 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 26 July 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 24 November 1916. Attached to Divisional Headquarters, Yukon Pack as instructor in the field, 15 May 1917; rejoined unit from detachment, 23 May 1917. Proceeded on leave to England, 14 September 1917. Advised headquarters to the effect that he had broken left thumb while on leave. Was instructed to report to Administration Head Quarters on expiration of leave. Admitted to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital, Southall, 24 September 1917. Discharged from hospital to proceed overseas to join unit, 13 September 1917; rejoined unit, sick from England, 9 November 1917. Admitted to 9th Australian Field Ambulance, France, with scabies. Transferred to duty and rejoined unit, 8 January 1918. Appointed Lance Corporal, 15 May 1918. Promoted Temporary Corporal, 29 May 1918. Awarded Military Medal, for devotion to duty and sterling courage under heavy shell and machine gun fire - repaired road bridges as the advance went forward on 8 August 1918, east of Hamel. Promoted Corporal, 28 August 1918. Admitted to 3rd Australian General Hospital, Abbeville, sick (influenza), 14 September 1918; discharged from hospital to duty and rejoined unit in France, 19 October 1918. Proceeded on leave to England, 22 October 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 10 November 1918. Marched out for return to Australia, 18 March 1919. Marched out to England, 26 March 1919 and disembarked at Southampton ex France to proceed to Codford, 27 March 1919. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Zealandia', 11 May 1919. Admitted to ship's isolation hospital with venereal disease general, 13 May 1919; discharged to duty at sea, 19 June 1919; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 38 days. Disembarked Sydney, 1 July 1919; discharged (medically unfit: malaria), 9 April 1920. Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 56 |
| Place of burial | Rookwood Necropolis (Sec. R.C. 9, 6258), Sydney, New South Wales |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, COAKLEY John |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
