The AIF Project

Alexander McDonald COSSAR

Regimental number6302
Place of birthBrisbane, Queensland
SchoolMilton State School, Queensland
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressThomas Street, Bayswater, Milton, Brisbane, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Height5' 0"
Weight101 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Elizabeth Cossar, Thomas Street, Bayswater, Milton, Brisbane, Queensland
Previous military serviceNil (previously rejected for military service due to being under standard height)
Enlistment date31 October 1916
Place of enlistmentBrisbane, Queensland
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name25th Battalion, 18th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/42/5
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A64 Demosthenes on 23 December 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll25th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 4 July 1918
Place of death or woundingVillers-Bretonneux, France
Age at death24
Age at death from cemetery records25
Place of burialCrucifix Corner Cemetery (Plot IX, Row A, Grave No. 2), Villers-Bretonneux, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
104
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Alexander and Elizabeth COSSAR, Thomas Street, Bayswater, Milton, Victoria
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Sydney, 22 December 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 3 March 1917, and marched into 7th Training Bn, Rollestone, the same day.

Proceeded overseas to France, 16 July 1917; marched into 2nd Australian Divisional Base Depot, Le Havre, 17 July 1917.

Proceeded to unit, 30 August 1917; taken on strength of 25th Bn, 1 September 1917.

Wounded in action, 20 September 1917; admitted to No 6 Field Ambulance, 20 September 1917 (shrapnel wound, wrist); transferred to No 2 Casualty Clearing Station, 20 September 1917; to No 2 Canadian General Hospital, Le Treport, 21 September 1917; to No 3 Convalescent Depot, 5 January 1918; discharged, 17 January 1918; marched into Australian Intermediate Base Depot, Le Havre, 23 January 1918.

Proceeded to unit, 30 April 1918; rejoined 25th Bn, 6 May 1918.

Killed in action, 4 July 1918.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, COSSAR Alexander McDonald

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.