The AIF Project

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 28 January 1916; disembarked Suez, 28 February 1916.

Taken on strength of 58th Bn from 2nd Training Bn, 1 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.

Posted missing, 19 July 1916.

Now, 5 November 1916, reported as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'.

Note on B.103, 'buried in vicinity of Fleurbaix'

Statement, Red Cross File No 800603, 4744 Pte W.J. BROWN, 58th Bn (patient, 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, England), 12 September 1916: 'Killed by a shell just over parap[e]t. He was carrying ammunition at the time with informant, who saw it happen near Fleurbaix.'

Second statement, 4571 Pte R. ROBINSON, 58th Bn, 30 July 1917: 'I knew Casualty well ... He was engaged carrying ammunition in No Man's Land on the 19th July at Fleurbaix with Pte J. Colvell (sic) [COLWELL] and W.O. Phillips ... I was also with them when an H.E. shell exploded killing casualty. We left the body there. We were 100 yards in advance of the trenches at the time.'

Third statement, 4620 Pte A. WILSON, 58th Bn (patient, No 8 Stationary Hospital, Boulogne), 20 September 1916: 'The 55th (sic) were in trenches (front line) on July 19th at Laventie. About 8.15 that evening C. Coy went over carrying ammunition. Cooper was carrying one side of a box and Pte J. Colwell was carrying the other. Afterwards Colwell told informant that a shell burst wounding him and blowing Cooper's body to bits.'

Fourth statement, 4468 Pte J. COLWELL, C Company, 58th Bn, 25 September 1916: 'Private Cooper was killed by a shell during the charge on the 19th July. I was with him at the time and saw him killed. His body was not brought in, and unfortunately I was unable to obtain any of his personal property.'

Note on file: 'No trace Germany. Cert. by Capt. Mills 10.10.19.'