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JOSEPH COLEMAN
Rifleman - N.Z.Rifle Brigade
Died
8th June 1917
Rifleman Joseph Coleman is the only member of the New
Zealand Expeditionary Force to be commemorated on the war memorials in the town.
Coleman was born in Cullompton on 23rd
October 1873 the son of John and Sarah Coleman of Crow Bridge, Cullompton. His
father was a cattle dealer and Joseph had at least four sisters and a brother.
It is not known why or when Joseph emigrated to New Zealand but in May 1916 he
presented himself at the recruiting office at the age of 43 and joined the army.
He gave his address as the Masonic Hotel, Palmerston North and stated that he
had been employed as a flax cutter for Seifert in Rangitane.
Coleman was first posted to H Company 16th
Reinforcements. He trained in New Zealand between 2nd May and 20th
August 1916 before departing from Dunedin having transferred to the 5th
Reserve Battalion. He arrived in Devonport on 25th October and moved to Sling,
embarking for France on 15th November 1916.
By 16th November Coleman was in Etaples at
the base depot. He stayed there until 8th December 1916 when he was
transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the 3rd New Zealand
Rifle Brigade.
7th January 1917 – 15th March
1917 – detached with Railway Construction party
15th March 1917 – 6th June
1917 – with unit
6th – 8th June 1917 –
detached Brigade Dump
8th June 1917 – rejoined unit and killed
in action
Records show that Joseph Coleman was buried but today
he has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Messines Ridge (NZ) Memorial.
His medals were later sent to his brother John who had returned to Cullompton
after war service in Bristol. Coleman was unmarried and therefore left no family
in New Zealand.