Coull, Sydney Archibold by Central Coast Council

Gosford District Casualties of World War One Bragg, Edmund Allen Coull, Sydney Archibald

Service Service Number Number 1494 2151 Killed in Action 19th May 1915 Killed in Action 29th August 1917 Gallipoli Peninsula Messines, Belgium

Gosford City Council gratefully acknowledges the voluntary efforts of Benalyn Campbell And Vivienne Tranter in compiling this resource

The information in this file has been extracted from official records held in the The Australian War Memorial and National Archives of Australia (ÂŠ Commonwealth of Australia [National Archives of Australia] 2013) Further information on this soldier may be found online at: Commonwealth War Graves The AIF project Content advisory: This file may potentially contain disturbing accounts of service-related injury and death, disease and family grief. Adult supervision is recommended for children using these resources. Individual files should be viewed within the context provided by wider research on service conditions in the 1 st AIF. This resource is presented by Gosford City Council for research purposes only. Please note that copyright for resources contained within remains with the original copyright owners.

NAME

Coull, Sydney Archibald

SERVICE NO

2151

UNIT

45th Battalion

RANK

Private

AGE at Enlistment

27 yrs 11 mths

PLACE OF BIRTH

Caiwarra, Qld

ADDRESS

Narara, NSW

OCCUPATION

Railway Night Officer

DATE OF ENLISTMENT

28 Feb 1916

PLACE OF ENLISTMENT

Royal Aust Show Ground Sydney, NSW

PREVIOUS SERVICE

Ni;

NEXT OF KIN

Mother;- Mary Agnes Coull, Narara, NSW Father’s were abouts unknown- deserted family over 20 yrs

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Height-5’5”. Weight- 136lbs. Chest-34-36½” Complexion-Fresh. Eyes-Grey. Hair-Brown.

RELIGION

R/C

EMBARKED

Sydney 22 Aug 1916 per A18 “Wiltshire”

DISEMBARKED

Plymouth 13 Oct 1916

NOTES

31 Jan 1917 sick England

WOUNDED/ILLNESS

Trench Fever.

DIED

KIA 29 Aug 1917- Messines, Belgium

BURIED

In the line at Messines, gve marked with a cross fashioned from a biscuit tin, by Cpl J P Murray 6771 13th Btn.

MEDALS

British War Medal-45285, Victory Medal-45811. Memorial Plaque & Scroll330012

DEPENDANTS PERSONAL EFFECTS WILL

Yes

GOSFORD TIMES 27.9.1917 ROLL OF HONOR. PRIVATE SYDNEY A. COULL. Word was received by Mrs A Coull, Narara, on the 14th inst. (through Rev. Father Kelly) that her youngest son, Private Sydney A Coull, was killed in action on 29th August in France. The Sad news caused quite a gloom over the district, where the deceased soldier was widely known. He was a fine specimen of young Australian, and, by his genial disposition, endeared himself to old and young alike. He was for many years a relief officer in the Railway Department, a position he resigned three years ago to take up the study of opera singer. His teacher, Mr Alfred Hill, of Sydney, predicted a brilliant career for the young singer, his voice being a robust tenor. After studying about eighteen months, he responded to the call and enlisted in January, 1916, sailing on the 22nd August. He went into action January last, and fought in the Somne and Messines battles, after which he was transferred from the 45th Battalion to the glorious but unlucky 13th Battalion. With the exception of a few weeks in hospital suffering from trench fever, the young soldier was in action up till the 29th August last, when he was killed in action. Profound sympathy is expressed on all sides for the deceasedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family, to whom the sad news came as a shock.

GOSFORD TIMES 27.9.1917 RETURN THANKS MRS. A. COULL AND FAMILY Desire to convey their deepest thanks to all kind friends, to the Members of the Narara Hall Committee, and Mrs O’Toole and Family for acts of kindness and expressions of sympathy on their late sad bereavement. GOSFORD TIMES 29.11.1917. LATE PRIVATE S. COULL Mrs Coull of Narara, has received the following letter from the battle front referring to the death of her youngest son, Private Sid Coull, who was killed in action on 29th August:Godforth Wilts, No 4 Camp, England, September 28 – Dear Madam, - Just a few lines to let yoy know about your son. He was in my Section with B Coy 13th Battalion at the battle of Messines. A shell killed 20 and wounded 14, and your son was among the former. I regret having to break the news to you but on account of knowing the man your son was I feel it my duty to do so. He was killed outright and suffered no pain. We buried him after dark, and I said a prayer over him. God be merciful to his soul. I placed a little cross over his grave. I feel so sorry for your dear son, but he did his bit for his country. Should I ever get back to Australia I will call and see you personally. At present I am having a rest in England. We all hope that this cruel war will soon be over and that we will be able to get back home. Good night and God bless you. – From a dear friend of you son, sid (God blessings too) – J. P. Murray (Sergeant) France – Dear Mrs Coull and Family, - Being an old school mate of Sid’s I think it my duty to let you know what I can about poor Sid. He was killed in the front line on the 29 th August and was buried that night just behind the line. You have my deepest Sympathy in your sad bereavement. Shortly I expect to be on leave from France, I will then let you know exactly where he is buried. – I am, yours faithfully LIEUT. A. W. Edwards.

GOSFORD TIMES 17.1.1918. PREPARED FOR HIS END. Mrs M. A. Coull, of Narara, has received the following letter referring to the death of her youngest son, Sydney A. Coull, killed in action on 29th August in France:France, 15th November, 1917 Dear Mrs Coull, - I have just received your letter of 15th September, and I feel very very deeply for you in your sorrow for the death of your dear boy. Nothing saddens me so much as the loss of the men whom I love so much – their piety, their devotion, bravery and patience touches my heart. But if I myself feel so grieved at the death of one of them, it helps me all the more to understand your sorrow. Alas we have lost more than one lately. It will be a comfort for you to know that your son was well prepared for his end. A few days before they went into the front line I had all the 13th Battalion at Mass, and all received Holy Communion. On that day I had a little parcel of medals, of our Lady, to give out, after Mass. I was greatly impressed by the eagerness with which they approached the Altar Rails to receive Holy Communion was a most edifying example to others present. As I am obliged to look after three other Battalions, I was not present in the front line when your boy was buried. His death was instantaneous, and he was buried at the spot where he was killed, in the presence of his officer – Captain Mosley. May God give him eternal rest. I offer Holy Mass continually for his soul, and the other brave dead. – In deep sympathy, yours very sincerely, C. LONGERAN, Catholic Chaplain.

GOSFORD TIMES 29.8.1918 ROLL OF HONOR. COULL – To the cherished memory of our darling Syd, who was killed in action at Warneton, Messines August 29 th, 1917. He fell in the front line, A soldier and a man. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on his soul. Inserted by his loving mother, brothers, and sisters

GOSFORD TIMES 28.8.1919. ROLL OF HONOR. COULL – To the sacred memory of our dear son and brother, Syd (13 th Battalion) killed in action 28th August 1917. Sweet Jesus have mercy on his soul. The highest manhood, modeled on Christ’s plan’ Who dies for others, dies a perfect man. Inserted by his loving mother, brothers and sisters.

Abridged record/s courtesy of the National Archives of Australia (NAA) Series No: B2455 Item Barcode: 3430329