2543 Private
J.T.COLEMAN
36th Bn Australian Inf.
10th January 1917. Age 26
Gone from us
But not forgotten
Never will thy memory fade
COLEMAN, JOHN THOMAS
Rank:…………………………………Private
Service No:………………………..2543
Date of Death:…………………..10/01/1917
Age:…………………………………..26
Regiment:………………………….Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
36th Bn.
Grave Reference:
Cemetery:
HAINFORD (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD
Additional Information:
Son of Charles George and Maria Coleman, husband of Martha Florence Coleman, of Haynford, Norwich, Norfolk, England. Born at Haynford.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2803391/COLEMAN,%20JO...
(Note this is the old ruined All Saints Church on Waterloo Road, not the late Victorian All Saints opposite the church)
John’s service records can be seen on line here:-
recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewIma...
John was a 26 years old married labourer \ Boundary Rider when he enlisted in June 1916 at Walgett, N.S.W. He was born Norwich, Norfolk. His next of kin is given as his wife, Martha Florence. Martha changes address many times during the period up to September 1922.
1)– 20 Elgin Street, Combarat Spring, West Maitland NSW
2)– Haynford, Norfolk (19.2.17)
3)– Mitre Tavern Yard, North Walsham, Norfolk (5.7.22)
4)– No.2 Council Houses, Skeyton Road, North Walsham (20.9.22)
At his medical he was described as 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 9 stone 7lbs. His complexion was described as Clear, eyes Grey and his hair was Light Brown.
He reported to the Newcastle Depot on the 18th July 1916, and after his basic training, he was assigned on the 25th August 1916 to “A” Company, 36th Battalion, as part of a draft that would be the 4th Re-inforcements for that Battalion. On the 15th September 1916 he was moved to “B” Company, 5th Re-inforcements. He embarked at Sydney aboard the HMAT ‘Benalla’ on the 9th November 1916.
He was initially in the ship’s sick bay from the 22nd December 1916 with Influenza. The diagnosis was changed on the 3rd January 1917 to Pneumonia.
He disembarked on the 9th January 1917 and went straight to Hospital.
He Died of Disease (Pneumonia) on the 10th January 1917 at 11.55 a.m. at the Military Hospital in Devonport, England.
He was buried at Haynford Churchyard, Left Hand Side, on the 16th January 1917, (reported by his mother).
Martha Coleman received various pensions, all addresses given as Haynford..
For Martha Florence Coleman, (Wife of John Thomas). Commenced 14.4.17.
For John Arterton, (Step-son of John Thomas Coleman). Commenced 14.4.17, expired 3.5.28
For Thomas Charles Coleman (Son of John Thomas). Commenced 14.4.17, to be reviewed 26.4.28
No match on Picture Norfolk
Birth and Baptism
The birth of a John Thomas Colman was registered in the St Faiths District of Norfolk in the April to June quarter of 1890. St Faiths District includes the village of Hainford.
The baptism of a John Thomas Coleman, born 3rd June 1890, took place at All Saints, Hainford on the13th July 1890. His parents were Charles George and Maria Coleman. Charles works as a Hawker. The family are recorded as living OTP (Outside the Parish).
freereg2.freereg.org.uk/search_records/55106c27e93790332e...
Other family baptisms in the same church to the same parents.
Nellie Louisa…………..born 23rd April 1888………..baptised 23rd May 1888
Stella Grace…………….born 18th August 1892……baptised 18th September 1892
1891 Census
The 10 month old John T Coleman, born Haynford, was recorded at a dwelling at Mile Cross Lane, Hainford. This was the dwelling of his parents, Charles G, (aged 44 and a Hawker + Grocer from Norwich), and Maria, (aged 32 and from Norwich). As well as John, their other children living with them are:-
Charles G…………….aged 7……….born Holton, Suffolk
Nellie L………………..aged 2……….born Haynford.
All living with them is Maria’s unmarried sister Nelly Browne, (aged 24 and a Mothers Help from Norwich). The family also have a live in servant plus on the night of the census they had a visitor.
1901 Census
The family were recorded at a General Shop, Hainford. This seems to be one of a row of shops including a Shoemaker, another General Shop, an Engineers and the Post Office. As well as parents Charles G, (53 – General Shopkeeper) and Maria, (44), siblings Charles G, (17 – General Hawker) and John T, (10), have been joined by a sister, Stella, (aged 8, born Haynford). The family also have a live in servant.
1911 Census
John does not appear to be on the census for England and Wales, and I suspect he had departed for Australia already.
Parents Charles, (63) and Maria, (55), are still running a General Shop in Hainford. They have been married 28 years and have had 4 children, of which 3 were then still alive.
On the day
As evidenced by his Army records, John died of Pneumonia on this day in a Military Hospital.
The death of a John T Coleman, aged 26, was recorded in the Devonport District of Devon in the January to March quarter of 1917.
