Paul Mackenzie COUGHLAN

Regimental number15343
Place of birthSydney New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationEngineer
AddressAshfield, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Next of kinMother, Mrs. Agnes Glendenning Coughlan, 4 Croydon Road, Croydon, Sydney, New South Wales
Enlistment date20 March 1916
Rank on enlistmentSapper
Unit nameDivisional Signal Company 1, Reinforcement 21
AWM Embarkation Roll number22/11/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A30 Borda on 17 October 1916
Rank from Nominal RollSapper
Unit from Nominal Roll6th Field Artillery Brigade
FateReturned to Australia 4 July 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'On the 25th September, 1917, at HOOGE, the enemy, who had attacked our lines, was shelling the valley between HOOGE and HALFWAY HOUSE very heavily. For six hours these two men worked backwards and forwards on the line between the Artillery and Infantry in this valley, being almost continuously under shell fire, and in endeavouring to keep the line in action narrowly escaped with their lives. They were on the occasion partially buried by an aeroplane bomb but continued with their work and eventually finding it impossible to keep the line in repair reported at the Infantry Headquarters and brought in by hand from the Liaison Officer an important despatch, through the heavy fire which was then existing. Their conduct throughout was an excellent example of courage and determination.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1918

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal