Joseph Arthur (Joe) COLES

COLES, Joseph Arthur

Service Number: 362
Enlisted: Not yet discovered
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 6 Mounted Infantry Contingent
Born: York, Western Australia, 22 June 1878
Home Town: Subiaco, Nedlands, Western Australia
Schooling: York, Western Australia
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Died: Natural causes, Rivervale, Perth, Western Australia , 20 July 1961, aged 83 years
Cemetery: Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia
Anglican ZS 0064
Memorials:
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Boer War Service

1 Oct 1899: Involvement Private, 362, 6 Mounted Infantry Contingent

Help us honour Joseph Arthur Coles's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Ronald Coles

Joe and William Hudson Allen joined up together with the 6th WAMI.

They were both excellent horse riders so were selected in the East Transvaal Scouts to go deep behind enemy lines to destroy and cause as much damage and confusion possible.

They were hated and feared by the boers.

On his return to Western Australia he was allocated a block at Northcliff in group #141 but due to pleurisy and Ill health had to move back to Perth.

Joe was best man at Bill Allen's wedding on their return.

Bill and Joe tried to enlist for WW1, Bill got in but Joe was to sick and was told by the recruiters he had already done his duty with the Boer War.

His war medal is held by my cousin Malcolm Coles.

He is in a group photo in an article with other members about the formation of the RSL.

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