Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Borda’ A30 for England 29.6.1917.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 26th Reinforcement. 11th Battalion. Australian Imperial Force.
Coward disembarked at Plymouth with the 26th Reinforcement. 11th Battalion 25.8.1917. He marched in to Durrington to the 3rd Training Battalion 7.11.1917. He was transferred to Sutton Veny to 2nd Training Battalion 5.2.1918. Coward was admitted to Military Hospital with Measles 5.2.1918, then Bronchitis 11.3.1918. He proceeded overseas to France 1.4.1918. Coward was transferred to 51st Battalion and taken on strength 6.4.1918. The 51st Battalion fought the German offensive in March and early April 1918 around Villers-Bretonneux, ultimately dislodging them from this position in a legendary attack on 25.4.1918. Coward fought at Villers-Bretonneux and was KIA 25.4.1918. He was hit in the head by exploding shell and reportedly killed outright. He was buried where he fell, by the side of the wood near the village. His gravesite was unknown, however, a memorial cross was erected near Villers-Bretonneux. Coward’s name is commemorated at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux Area, Picardie, France.
Final Rank Private, 51st Battalion. Australian Imperial Force.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes He was recorded in the obituary as the 2nd son of Mr. and Mrs Coward of Osborne Park, Grandson of Rev. A. F. Carey of Brixham, South Devon and great grandson of Vice Admiral Sir Jarleel Brenton Bart KCB. (West Australian Newspaper 31.5.1918 p 5).
The greatest of all golden deeds
He has laid his life down for his friends.
(West Australian Newspaper 23.5.1918)
Photos HMAT 'Borda'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB0277
             Ruined Church at Villers-Bretonneux 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E0215
             Coward Edward Carey. Obituary in West Australian Newspaper 23.5.1918 p 1 Family Notices
             Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWMH17454

Information Source
AWM PB0277. HMAT 'Borda'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australia War Memorial
AWM E0215. Ruined Church at Villers-Bretonneux 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourcd from the Pictorial Collectio  of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H17454. Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photogapher unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- Edward Carey Brenton Coward
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour- Edward Carey Brenton Coward
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
Guildford Grammar School War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Coward E C B
West Australian Newspaper


Federal St/ Wanneroo Rd, Osborne Park, WA.
59 Rookwood St, Mt. Lawley, WA.

Associated Images