William Maurice COGHLAN

Service Number = 845

Date of Death = 18 August 1937

Rank = Lance Sargent

Unit = 39th Battalion

Age = 50

Location = Ballarat Old Cemetery, E1, Section 14, Row 2, Grave 11A

William Maurice COGHLAN MM (SN 845), the older brother of Kevin, was a 29 year old auctioneer when he enlisted on February 29th 1916. He trained in Ballarat with the 39th Battalion before embarking on May 27th on the Ascanius. In November 1916 he arrived at the battle front in France. He was withdrawn for a period to attend the Southern Command Bombing School where he qualified as an instructor. In late April 1917 his gallantry earned for him the Military Medal, his recommendation reading, ‘At Ploegsteert on the night of 29th-30th April 1917 on the occasion of an enemy raid and very severe bombardment of our trenches, this man acted as a runner along the front line, and was instrumental in keeping the officer on duty posted on the state of affairs throughout, although this necessitated his being exposed to a very heavy barrage. In one of his trips he encountered and killed a German. Coghlan’s work was invaluable.’  On August 25th 1918 he was wounded in action, suffering a gunshot wound to his left leg, but was able to rejoin his unit two months later. He returned to Australia on the Karagola, disembarking at Melbourne on June 12th 1919. He died on August 17th 1937 at the age of 50.