'For conspicuous gallantry in the field, east of St Julien on the 4th inst. During the advance this N.C.O. handled the men under his command in a most capable manner and took part in a lot of severe fighting, he himself accounting for a great number of the enemy with the bayonet. He was cool and level headed throughout and let nothing hinder the advance of his platoon to the objective. On arrival at the Red Line he worked without sparing himself and organised his men in a most capable manner in the work of consolidation, and it was greatly due to his own energy that such good work and progress was made in his particular sector.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 17 December 1917

Regimental number	12/2252
Date of birth	13 November 1891
Place of birth	Taranaki, Stratford
Religion	Roman Catholic
Address	40 John Street, Ponsonby, Auckland
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	23
Height	5' 9"
Weight	163 lbs
Next of kin	Father, S J Coulam, 40 John Street, Ponsonby, Auckland
Previous military service	Served in B Company, 3rd Auckland Regiment; still serving at time of NZEF enlistment.
Enlistment date	12 February 1915
Rank on embarkation	Lance Corporal
Enlistment status	Volunteer
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 5th Reinforcements, Auckland Infantry Battalion
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT Maunganui on 13 June 1915
	The 5th Reinforcements, Auckland Infantry Battalion, left New Zealand on board three ships, HMNZT 24 'Maunganui', HMNZT 25 'Tahiti', and HMNZT 26 'Aparima'. It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
Final rank	Sergeant
Final unit	1st Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment
Fate	Commenced return to New Zealand 1 April 1918
Medals	Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry in the field, east of St Julien on the 4th inst. During the advance this N.C.O. handled the men under his command in a most capable manner and took part in a lot of severe fighting, he himself accounting for a great number of the enemy with the bayonet. He was cool and level headed throughout and let nothing hinder the advance of his platoon to the objective. On arrival at the Red Line he worked without sparing himself and organised his men in a most capable manner in the work of consolidation, and it was greatly due to his own energy that such good work and progress was made in his particular sector.' Source: 'London Gazette' Date: 17 December 1917
Discharge date	11 July 1918
Other details	War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Joined Bn at Gallipoli, 8 August 1915. Admitted to NZ General Hospital, Cairo, 2 September 1915 (enteritis); discharged to NZ Convalescent Depot, Alexandria, 15 October 1915; attached to NZ Advanced Base, Mustapha, 25 October 1915. Embarked Alexandria, 3 november 1915; rejoined unit at Gallipoli, 8 November 1915. Disembarked Alexandria, 29 December 1915 (general Gallipoli evacuation). Admitted to NZ Auxiliary Hospital, Ismailia, 14 February 1916 (venereal disease); transferred to No 17 General Hospital, Alexandria, 19 April 1916; discharged to duty, 19 May 1916. Embarked Alexandria for France, 27 May 1916; rejoined unit, in the field, 11 July 1916. Wounded in action, 18 September 1916 (shell shock); admitted to No 1 NZ Field Ambulance, 20 September 1916; rejoined unit, 29 September 1916. Appointed Lance Corporal, 15 October 1916. Admitted to No 3 NZ Field Ambulance, 26 December 1916 (ulcer on penis); transferred to No 2 NZ Field Ambulance, 28 December 1916; rejoined Bn, 21 January 1917. Promoted Corporal, as from 1 January 1917; Temporary Sergeant, 15 June 1917; Sergeant, 8 July 1917. Awarded Military Medal for acts of gallantry in the field, 15 October 1917. Wounded in action (second occasion), 23 October 1917 (contusion), and admitted to No 2 NZ Field Ambulance; transferred same day to 44th Casualty Clearing Station; to No 18 General Hospital, Camiers, 26 October 1917; to No 6 Convalescent Depot, Etaples, 22 November 1917; attached to NZ Base Depot, Etaples, 25 November 1917. Admitted to No 20 General Hospital, Camiers, 20 December 1917 (scabies); transferred to NZ Base Depot, Etaples, 27 December 1917. Classified 'C' by NZEF Travelling Medical Board, 11-12 January 1917. Detached to England, 20 January 1918; marched out to NZ Discharge Depot, Torquay, 14 February 1918. Classified 'unfit' and placed on NZ Roll. Commenced return to New Zealand from Glasgow on board 'Athenic', 1 April 1918; discharged, 11 July 1918 (no longer physically fit for War Service on account of wounds received in action). Total war service: 3 years 150 days (of which 2 years 338 days were abroad) Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous details	Auckland Infantry Batln/Fifth
Sources	Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805