Pte Thomas Barnes Coleman 14th Battalion Australian Imperial Force

[Isle of Wighter]

Thomas Coleman was my Great, Great Uncle. He was born on 17th July 1888 in a sleepy, rural village called Brighstone on the Isle of Wight. He worked with his Father as a Dairyman on Marshgreen Farm, Brighstone until he emigrated to South Gippsland, Victoria, in Australia sometime in 1912 and continued to work as a Dairyman. When The Great War broke out he signed up, and ended up in 14th Battalion Australian Imperial Force http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Battalion_(Australia) .

The battalion embarked on H.M.A.T 'Ulysses' from Melbourne for training in Egypt in December of 1914, the journey took 1 month. On the 21 August 1915 the 14th Battalion A.I.F took part in the Battle of Hill 60, the last major assault of the Battle of Gallipoli http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_..._60_(Gallipoli)

Tom lost his life sometime between 26th and 28th of August 1915, he was 27 years old.

As Tom has no official grave I thought I would post this thread and share with you the last year of this man's story.

The following are some scans from items which are in the care of my Dad.


Pte Thomas Barnes Coleman 14th Battalion Australian Imperial Force.

[Isle of Wighter]

Tom Coleman - far right

[Isle of Wighter]

Some of Toms service records.

[Isle of Wighter]

service records

[Isle of Wighter]

Toms Dog tag and containing cardboard

[Isle of Wighter]

Toms posthumously awarded medals and Memorial plaque, complete with envelopes addressed to his parents.

[Isle of Wighter]

The tag which would have been attached to the package of his personal effects which was returned to his parents in Brighstone

[Isle of Wighter]

Toms entry in the Lone Pine Memorial in Gallipoli

[Isle of Wighter]

some post cards from the field

[lithgow]

Hello-thanks for sharing the life of a young man who travelled so far to serve his country.

Anzac Day 25th April - "Lest We Forget".