'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He commanded a platoon in the attack with the greatest courage and skill. Finding that there was a gap in the attacking line he at once got his men into position to fill it, and collected stray men from other units to strengthen his party. He led his men forward and captured an enemy strong point with four machine guns, and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 4 March 1918

Regimental number	26/733
Date of birth	8 February 1888
Place of birth	Charly, England
Occupation	Engineer
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	27
Height	5' 7"
Weight	168 lbs
Next of kin	Mother, Mrs Sarah Ann Coley, 6 Rose Hill, Brighton, England
Previous military service	Nil
Enlistment date	12 October 1915
Place of enlistment	Trentham
Rank on embarkation	Rifleman
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 4th Battalion, Scouts
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on 5 February 1916
Final rank	2nd Lieutenant
Final unit	New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Fate	Commenced return to New Zealand 14 August 1919
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records	Photo: Peter Dennis
Medals	Distinguished Conduct Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He commanded a platoon in the attack with the greatest courage and skill. Finding that there was a gap in the attacking line he at once got his men into position to fill it, and collected stray men from other units to strengthen his party. He led his men forward and captured an enemy strong point with four machine guns, and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy.' Source: 'London Gazette' Date: 4 March 1918
Other details	War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Wellington on board HT 'Navua',5 February 1916; disembarked Suez, 15 March 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, France, 7 April 1916. Appointed Lance Corporal, 18 September 1916; Temporary Corporal, 1 November 1916; Temporary Lance Sergeant, 26 November 1916; Temporary Sergeant, 26 February 1917. Promoted Sergeant, 31 May 1917. Detached to Corps School, 7 May 1917; rejoined unit, 30 May 1917. On leave to Paris, 5 August 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 12 August 1917. On leave to United Kingdom, 15 September 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 27 September 1917. Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal. Wounded in action, 2 April 1918 (gun shot wound, thigh: severe), and admitted to No 1 NZ Field Ambulance, and transferred same day to No 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital; to No 1 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, 3 April 1918; to England, 4 April 1918, and admitted to Southwark Military Hospital, 5 April 1918; transferred to No 1 NZ General Hospital, Brockenhurst, 11 April 1918; to NZ Convalescent Hospital, Hornchurch, 8 May 1918; discharged to duty, 25 May 1918. Promoted 2nd Lt, 3 February 1919. Commenced return to New Zealand on board SS 'Adolph Woermann', 14 August 1919; disembarked Wellington, 1 October 1919. Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death	31 January 1939
Age at death	50
Place of burial	Karori Cemetery, Wellington
Sources	Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 24, p. 18 Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 24097038