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Frederick Victor Coles - Information

Frederick Victor Coles was born on the 12th of September 1899 in Forbes. The Coles later moved to the Campbelltown area, settling in Wedderburn at Presence. Frederick eventually found work as a clerk. He then decided to enlist in the AIF at Sydney on the 8th of October 1917, aged 18, having watched his brother John sign up the year before. While training at Liverpool Depot, Frederick was placed with various companies. On the 8th of June, he was appointed Acting Corporal, allocated to the NSW Reinforcements.

Frederick embarked on the SS Field Marshal at Sydney Harbour on the 19th of June 1918. While at sea, he was hospitalised with influenza before disembarking at London in late August. Frederick and his unit were marched out to the 11th Training Battalion and then to Sutton Veny. By this time, action on the Western Front had ceased. Frederick remained in England, and on the 26th of April 1919, he was promoted to Acting Sergeant. He was sent home to Australia on the Borda on the 9th of December 1919. Frederick returned to his life in Campbelltown, residing at Glen Lorne on Appin Rd and resuming his work as a clerk and accountant. He fell in love and in 1924 married Grace Tinda in Campbelltown.