Military History

Embarked Fremantle per ‘Seang Choon’ for England 18.7.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 18th Reinforcements 16th Battalion. Australian Imperial Force.
Coppin disembarked at Plymouth with the 16th Battalion 18th Reinforcement 9.9.1916. He marched in to the 4th Training Battalion at Rollestone 10.9.1916. He proceeded overseas to France with his unit and was taken on Strength with 16th Battalion 17.10.1916. He fought in the trenches on the Somme through the harsh winter of 1916  and moved between Armentieres and the front line. On December 2nd-3rd 1916 the 16th Bn. relieved the 14th Bn on the front line at Fleurs.  Although casualty numbers were light, Coppin was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to his right foot 3.12.1916. (AWM War Diaries 16th Bn. Dec.1916). Coppin was invalided to England per Hospital Ship ‘Wandilla’10.12.1916 and admitted to the London General Hospital 11.12.1916. He was later admitted to Bulford Hospital with a debility 1.3.1917. On discharged from Hospital, he rejoined his unit in France and was taken on strength in the field. Coppin was wounded in action (2nd time) with gunshot wound (Shell) to his left arm 23.11.1917 (Reported in West Australian Newspaper 12.7.1917) The 16th Bn. War Diaries indicate they were in the region of Abbevile in mid November (AWM 16th Bn. War Diaries November 1917) He was invalided to England and admitted to Southall Military Hospital, UK 16.6.1917. He was admitted to Bulford hospital for a further period before being discharged, deemed fit for active service and rejoining his unit in France 29.11.1917. Coppin was wounded accidentally –gunshot wound to his right hand 13.3.1918 (3rd time wounded). This probably occurred on the 12th of March 1918 during Lewis gun practice (AWM 16th Bn. War Diaries 23/33/28 ) He rejoined his unit 12.9.1918 and was transferred to the 4th Divisional Observing Section 4.11.1918.
Embarked Plymouth for Australia per ‘Miltiades’ 19.6.1919.
Returned/Disembarked 5.8.1919.
Discharged 5.10.1919.
Final Rank Private, 4th Davison Observing Section, 16th Battalion. Australian Imperial Force.
Medical Condition Invalided, wound to right hand.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Photo  Coppin G.S. Photograph in the Western Mail 17.8.1917 p21
            HMAT 'Seang Choon'. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H02243
            Rollestone, live grenade throwing practice. Photographer Dowes H. album, photograph source AWM P10688.011.002
            HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P08559.00

Information Source
AWM H02243. HMAT 'Seang Choon'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P10688.011.002. Rollestone, live grenade throwing practice. Photographer Dowes H. album, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWMP08559.00. HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM 4 23/33/13. 16th Battalion War Diaries December 1916
AWM 4 23/33/24. 16th Battalion War Diaires November 1917
AWM 4 23/33/28. 16th Battalion War Diaries March 1918
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- George S CoppinNAA: 2455,Coppin G S
West Australian Newspaper
Western Mail 17.8.1917 p21
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA


‘Salisbury’, Perth Guildford Rd., South Guildford, WA.
 

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