Lieutenant-Colonel Graham Coulter DSO MiD VD
8th Battalion, AIF
by Robert Simpson
Graham Coulter was born on 13th January 1879 in Ballarat East, Victoria. His parents, Irvine Coulter and Mary Jones had been married in 1872 in Victoria. Irvine was born in 1844; he was a merchant and they lived in Ballarat. Graham was one of seven children to them and one of five boys. He was the third youngest in the family and the second youngest boy. While at school, he was captain of the Ballarat City Rowing Club and a playing member of the Ballarat football team.
Graham joined the 1st Victorian Contingent to the Boer War as Private 84 in the 3rd Battalion. While he was there he wrote a letter to one of his brothers which was published in the Bendigo Advertiser on 13th October 1900. He described the conditions and some of the fighting they were involved in and how their officers coped well with the action in August 1900.
In the South Africa Medal roll he was listed as 84A Private G Coulter with the Victorian Mounted Rifles and his medal, number 207, was issued. The Queens South Africa medal was issued with the clasps Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, Cape Colony and Orange Free State.
The 1903 Electoral Roll has Graham living at 88 Mair St Ballarat with his parents and he was an accountant.
Graham married Violet Alice Palmer in 1908 in Victoria. Violet had been born in about 1879 and was living in Ballarat in the 1913 Electoral Roll. Her parents came from England and her father Thomas Pretty Palmer was a Chemist in Ballarat. He died at the age of 51 in 1889 and his estate of 251 pounds was left to his wife Sarah. She passed away in 1904. In 1909 they were still living in Ballarat, at 404 Drummond St and he was still an accountant. On 22nd August 1910 their only son and offspring was born in Ballarat and they named him Brian Ross Appleton Coulter. Brian served in the RAAF in WW2.
In the Ballarat Courier of Friday 14th August 1914 Captain Graham Coulter volunteered for active service with the “Commonwealth Expeditionary Force” and it goes on to say nearly “200 Ballarat men have now enlisted as volunteers.” His application for commission form stated his educational qualifications were general education at Grenville College Ballarat. His military qualifications were, joined 3rd Battalion in 1897; served 2years and 9 months as Private; served 14 months with 1st Victorian Contingent in South Africa; received 1st Commission in 1901. He listed his next of kin as his wife at 404 Drummond St Ballarat, which was his postal address too. His physical description was – height 5 foot 11 inches, weight 13 stone, chest measurement 42 inches, and good eyesight. He was recommended to be appointed a Captain. The 8th Battalion, recruited from rural Victoria, was one of the first units raised for the AIF and formed part of the 2nd Brigade.
As part of the 8th Infantry Battalion, H Company (as on embarkation roll), Captain Coulter left Melbourne on 19th October 1914 on HMAT Benalla A24. He was listed on the nominal roll as age 35, an accountant of 404 Drummond St, North Ballarat Victoria, with his next of kin as his wife, Mrs V A Coulter of the same address. Previously he was on the unattached list and was earning 22 shillings and 6 pence a day. His pay book number was 8001. From Alexandria, on 5th April 1915, he embarked to join the MEF for the Gallipoli Campaign. On 25th April 1915 he landed at Anzac in command of D Company 8th Battalion, as part of the second wave. On 5th May he was temporary in command of the 8th Battalion until the 20th. The 8th Battalion was sent to Helles to help in the attack on Krithia. They were in reserve, but as the attack stalled they were thrown in and lost 50% casualties for little ground gained. They returned to Anzac to defend there. He was promoted to Major on 9th May 1915. They were involved in the action at Lone Pine from 6th August. On 27th August 1915 he assumed command of the 8th Battalion, as Lieutenant-Colonel Brand was sick, until 11th October. From No. 2 Field Ambulance Camp on Mudros, he was sent to No. 3 AGH on Lemnos with jaundice on 16th November. He was transferred to 27 RAMC Hospital on 10th December and re-joined his battalion on the 14th. They had been withdrawn from Gallipoli to Egypt. From the Empress of Britain, he disembarked at Alexandria on 7th January 1916. From there he embarked on the Ansonia on 26th April and disembarked at France on the 30th. On 10 July 1916, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and was to be in command of the 8th Battalion.
“Place made Greece: Aegean Islands, Lemnos, Sarpion
Date made 25 December 1915
Description
Informal group portrait of four officers from the 8th Battalion at a camp on the Aegean island of Lemnos. These officers were with the battalion the previous Christmas. Left to right: Lieutenant (Lt) Dudley Freeman Hardy (later killed in action in Pozieres, France, on 18 August 1916); Lt Frederick Victor Trickey; Major (Maj) Graham Coulter; Captain (Capt) Mitchell. Maj Coulter and Capt Mitchell are wearing padded winter Service Dress caps, which have neck covers that fold up on top.” From AWM.
While in France, the battalion was heavily involved in actions against the German Army. The first major action was at Pozieres. At night, to minimise casualties only a small number of men were in what remained of the trenches. The whole area was battered by shellfire. The Brigades eventually took the village. Brigadier-General N M Smyth VC KCB wrote out a recommendation for Graham while he was a Major in the 8th Battalion for POZIERS from 24th to 27th July 1916. The reason reads “Handled his battalion with dash and ability under heavy barrage fire and in the dark. He pushed forward patrols and battle outposts and occupied nine advanced posts in the northern centre of the village near the church, subsequently taking part in the advance which resulted in our occupation of the position of the cemetery. In this operation his battalion captured 3 machine guns and accounted for many of the enemy and subsequently entrenched the position under heavy fire. The manner in which this officer carried out the difficult task assigned to him left nothing to be desired. He is strongly recommended for recognition.”
The battalion was sent to Ypres and returned to the Somme for winter 1916.
On 6th October 1916 he was recommended for a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George by G.O.C. 2nd Australian Infantry Brigade while a Lieutenant-Colonel in the 8th Battalion. The action reads “Lt Col. Coulter has commanded his battalion since 6th June 1916. In the battle on the SOMME (At POZIERES) on the two occasions when his Battalion was engaged he handled his Battalion which was responsible for important points in Pozieres – with skill. Has the confidence of his men and is a good leader and administrator. Also for general good work since arrival in France.” A Distinguished Service Order was approved and was promulgated in the London Gazette on 1st January 1917 page 28 position 9 as part of the New Year awards.
On 27th November 1916 while on leave in England he was granted an extension on medical certificate until 30th November.
He was mentioned in despatches, which was recorded in the London Gazette, on 4th January 1917 volume 29890 page 455. A South Australian newspaper published a letter from Graham to the secretary of the Australian Comforts Fund (the League of Loyal Women was the South Australian Division) which read “I want to thank you on behalf of this battalion for the many benefits we have received from the Australian Comforts Fund administered by you. The various goods sent to us have been of inestimable value during the long and trying time in the trenches. It is due to this that I was enabled to give my men hot cocoa or soup each midnight, really and additional ration. The benefit of this is shown by the fact that the number of cases of trench feet and pulmonary complaints were the lowest of any unit in the army. My experience has shown that plenty of hot food and drink is the best prevention of these complaints. The fund administered by you have certainly the merit of being of great advantage of the men actually in the firing line, and not in some cases only of benefit to troops in base camps.”
On 13th April 1917 he was seconded for duty with the 1st Infantry Training Battalion and transferred that day from France. He arrived there on the 19th for duty. Violet was sent a notice of Graham being awarded the Distinguished Service Order for conspicuous service in the field on 5th July 1917. On 24th October 1917 he was marched out to Headquarters in London. He was then sent to Sutton Very on 4th November and on the 12th he was marched out for Court Martial Duty. On the 14th November he received his Form of Commission. A letter from Headquarters AIF to Headquarters AIF Depots in UK stated that the services of this officer were not required by the 1st Australian Division and he might be given suitable employment to his rank there, and if not to be returned to Australia for termination of his employment. A note on the bottom stated that the General Officer Commanding AIF Depots in UK was unable to employ him. Another comment in the documents stated “His Division does not want him in France, I have no employment for him here”. A further comment stated he “was not suitable to remain in command of a Training Unit” and “he should return to Australia as not absorbed”. On 8th December he was temporarily attached to 1st Training Battalion for duty. On 8th January 1918 he was marched out to No. 2 Commonwealth Depot at Weymouth. A letter was sent to the Secretary, Department of Defence in Melbourne advising them that the Transport Section of the AIF in London had been asked to arrange passage for Graham to Australia for termination of his appointment, which had been approved, and they were sending files of the correspondence to them. Another letter stated as he was a member of a General Court Martial which was not expected to be dissolved before 15th January 1918, more information would be sent when he was available for transfer. It must have finished early.
His second eldest brother, Sydney Richard, was born in 1876 in Ballarat and was a Lieutenant with the 5th Victorian Mounted Regiment. He fought in the Boer War and was killed in action at Hloblane on 27th August 1901 and was buried at Vryheid. He was entitled to the Queens South Africa medal with Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal and South Africa 1901 clasps. When word reached Ballarat of his death, the whole town flew flags at half-mast.
His eldest brother, Irvine (born in 1873) passed away in Western Australia on 6th March 1914 and is buried in Karrakatta Cemetery. He worked for the Lands Survey Department. How he died is a bit of a tragedy, he was fishing with friends at Mossman Bay and while the others had gone out in a boat to fish, he had gone to the river to bathe. They found him a little later in two feet of water, face down. Apparently he had a heart attack and drowned.
Jason Leslie Boyd Coulter, born in August 1877 in Ballarat, also joined up for the Boer War. He was also living in Western Australian when he signed up with D Squadron of the 8th Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse at Geraldton on 17th April 1902 as Private with the service number 08/471. He listed his mother as next of kin and he had not previously served. He was willing to serve for 12 months or longer if required. His description indicated he was 5 foot 6 inches tall, chest measurement of 35 inches with blue eyes, flaxen hair and fair complexion. He had a scar on his chest. They embarked on the transport St. Andrew at Fremantle on 2nd June 1902 and arrived in Durban on the 19th. As they arrived after the war had ended they returned to Australia on the Manchester Merchant in late July 1902 and were not entitled to any medals. At the beginning of World War 1 he was a farmer living in Pallamallwa, via Moree in New South Wales when he enlisted. But he enlisted as Jason Leslie Boyd and listed his mother as Mary Boyd. He gave his previous service as 12 months with the 1st Imperial Light Horse and 7 months with Johannesburg Mounted Rifles. Why he falsified his records is not known. He joined on 28th August 1914 at Randwick with the 2nd Battalion as Private 598. In mid-1915 he had his name corrected, was promoted up to Sergeant and was transferred to 8th Battalion. His service number was changed to 1333. He died of wounds at Alexandria on 10th August 1915 after receiving a serve gunshot wound in the right hand and leg at Gallipoli on the 5th. The wounds were received in action in defence of Courtney’s Point. He was buried in Chatby War Memorial Cemetery in Plot J, Grave 144. His personal diary is digitised on the AWM site – https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG0000176/?image=1
His youngest brother, Leslie Jack Coulter was born in Ballarat on 20th July 1889. He was educated at Ballarat College and School of Mines. He worked in Bendigo for experience. By 1914 he had moved to Gormanston Tasmania and was listed as a draughtsman in that Electoral Roll. Leslie was noted for his bravery in rescue work during the Mount Lyell disaster. He was actually a Mining Engineer as noted on his service records and was single. Leslie had previous military experience with the 91st Infantry Regiment CMF and he applied for a commission in the Field Company Engineers on 28th September 1915. He joined the Miners Corps on 1st December 1915 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He was quickly promoted to Major, achieving that rank in March 1916. In July 1916 he was wounded in action and was awarded a Distinguished Service Order for the action he was involved with, and he was also Mentioned in Despatches three times. On 28th June 1917, while being involved in a raid to destroy German shafts, he was shot and killed. He is buried in Hersin Communal Cemetery Extension, Plot I. A. 2. A more detailed description of his life and exploits are detailed here- http://tunnellers.net/pages/nominal_rollpag.html and https://bih.federation.edu.au/index.php/Leslie_Coulter .
“Coulter Crater at Hill 70, near Lens, named after Major L. T. Coulter DSO, Commanding Officer of the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company, who was killed in action on 28 June 1917. The explosion of this crater marked the last of the enemy mine fighting on the famous Hill 70 position. It was blown by the enemy on 8 July, but the charging beforehand had been heard by listeners of the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company, and no casualties resulted. Two weeks later this unit joined with British troops in the capture of the whole enemy mine system on Hill 70, consisting of over three miles of galleries.” Should be L J Coulter.
Near Bethune, France, 1917. THIRD AUSTRALIAN TUNNELLING COMPANY Officers at the Company’s HQ at NOEUX LES MINES, PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE. Left to right 7th person in middle row- Major Coulter DSO.
One of his sister’s, Ellen Marion Coulter (1875 to 1955) married Peter Ross Sutherland, who was involved with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and was a director on various boards. His other sister, Edith May Coulter (1883-1959) married Henry William Hopton Hauser in 1914, who was a Reverend, and sometime after that they moved to South Australia where he was at St. Mary’s in Burra. They both passed away in South Australia in 1959.
Graham embarked on HT Corinthic on 10th January 1918 to return to Australia, was struck off strength and he arrived on 3rd March in Melbourne where his appointment was terminated. The Argus, on Friday 8th March 1918, ran a story saying “Lieut.-Colonel Graham Coulter, who has been on active service for three and a half years, was on Thursday night officially welcomed home at the Ballarat City Hall by the mayor (Councillor Bell, M.L.C.), a representative gathering of citizens being present. Lieut.-Colonel Coulter, in response to the toast of his health, said that the man who was fit to go to the war and did not go was missing the greatest thing in life.” His service records state he was officer commanding troops, voyage only with the same rank and was listed as unattached. 611882 was his pay book number. He re-joined on 25th July 1918 and his trade was listed as merchant. He was married, with Violet as his next of kin and the address was 1 Mill St Ballarat. Previous military service was noted as CMF 2 years and 9 months as Private, South Africa 1 year 4 months, CMF with commission 1901 to present date, AIF 3 years and 8 months – 8th Battalion. They embarked on SS Gaika on 30th July 1918 at Sydney with troops bound for U.K. and he was (Honorary) Lieutenant-Colonel for voyage only with Sea Transport Service. Graham noted his will was with his wife at No. 1 Mill St Ballarat. They disembarked in London on 13th October 1918 where having arrived from Australia he was taken on strength of AIF England. He returned on Takada on 24th December 1918 as Officer Commanding Troops. His appointment was again terminated on 20th March 1919 in the 3rd Military District. The reason for termination was given as App S.N.L.R. (NON-Disciplinary). Another form has completion of duty as the reason.
In 1919 his parents gave a silver cup to the Ballarat Regatta Association in memory of Leslie and Jason. A South Australian newspaper commented on him returning home and repeats an article in The Herald which said “Lieutenant-Colonel Coulter was in command during operations on Gallipoli and went to France on service with his battalion. It is understood that he is almost the only survivor of the 8th Battalion that landed at Anzac… of which he was a captain and company commander at the time. His honour has been bestowed for continuous and consistent bravery and persistency throughout the campaign in Gallipoli and France.” A Tasmanian newspaper recorded in 1920 that at the Anglican Cathedral in Ballarat “a monument was dedicated to the memory of Major Leslie Coulter D.S.O., and Sergeant J. Coulter, sons of Mr Irvine Coulter, a well-known merchant of Ballarat. Major Leslie Coulter, who was formerly a member of the Mount Lyell Company’s staff, and his brother paid the supreme sacrifice in the war.” A newspaper article in 1920 records that charges of stolen property were upheld against a person who stole a suitcase “belonging to Graham Coulter, of Brighton, commercial agent.”
Graham signed for his 1914-15 Star on 21st December 1920. Irvine (his father) passed away on 18th September 1922 in St. Kilda Melbourne. They were living at 10 Were St, Brighton Beach and they held a private funeral on the 19th. No records can be found for Mary when she was born or died.
In 1924 Graham was still in Brighton in Victoria and was living at 43 Willansby Avenue and in the roll he was noted as a clerk. Violet stayed in Ballarat and was living at 12 Ascot Street. It appears he did not return to Ballarat and the family after the war. He signed for his British War Medal and Victory Medal on 27th April 1923. A letter from Base Records in 1927 replied to an enquiry about Captain Henry Christian Pears of 4th Battalion and noted that he was with Graham in the 1st Training Battalion in England during the same period in 1917. It was addressed to a Mr G A Pearce in Crookwell NSW. In 1932 tragedy struck the family when Violet passed away in Ballarat and was buried on 12th January there. She was buried in the Ballarat Cemetery in Area DN, Section 5, Grave 2.
The 1933 Electoral Roll then shows Graham living in New South Wales at 145 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst West, East Sydney and he was an accountant. Graham wrote to Base Records on 30th May 1934 asking them to forward to him a list of his service records in the AIF. They replied on the 6th June with a list of his appointments, promotions and awards from 1914 to 1919. He was also awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Volunteer Officers’ Decoration for 20 years of efficient and thoroughly capable service. The Sydney Morning Herald of Monday 3rd August 1936 published an article in which the president of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Proprietors’ Transport Association “(Mr. Graham Coulter) said the imposition of prohibitive road tonnage tax restricted trade, commerce, and intercourse between New South Wales and other States, which contravened Section 92.”
During World War 2, he enlisted as Lieutenant-Colonel N77152 at Paddington, New South Wales on 25th July 1940 and listed his son as next of kin. Graham put his date of birth up by a year to 13th January 1880 to enlist. He was Camp Quarter Master at Greta Army Camp until he was discharged on 31st May 1941. Not much else is known due to his service records not being online.
By 1954 he was living at 4 South Avenue, Double Bay, with the same occupation as an accountant.
Graham passed away on 6th September 1960 in New South Wales. On 8th September he was cremated at Eastern Suburbs Crematorium and the ashes were placed in Wall F, 75 Memorial Niche on East Drive Wall.
His medals are:- Distinguished Service Order, Queens South Africa medal with the clasps Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, Cape Colony and Orange Free State, 1914-15 Star, British War medal, Victory medal with oak leaf, War medal 1939-45, Australian Service medal and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration (VD).
He also has a Brassey medal which appears to have been awarded to the 3rd Battalion Infantry Brigade Ballarat on 25th May 1898. It was awarded to encourage excellence in the Victorian Military Forces through a competition of field firing and marching. The teams had to march 10 miles in under 3.5 hours and then fire at a target. The winning team received a trophy and each member a medal.
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ANZAC Biographies
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