Serial Number and Rank

4762, Private

Birth

14 September 1882 Aboriginal Camp Ulladulla

Bap

28 December 1882 St Peters and St Paul Milton

Parents

Henry/Harry Cooley & Elizabeth Jane Licey (both Aboriginal)

Enlisted

29 November 1915 Age 24yrs 4 months which gives 1878 as year of birth.

Next of Kin

F. Harry Cooley Batemans Bay. Thomas Ulladulla is crossed out, Thomas was actually his grandfather.

Service

First with the 4th Battalion, in April 1916 transfered to 56th Battalion. RTA 15 March 1919 aboard Ullysses. Medical discharge 16 May 1919.

Death

16 April 1964

Marriage

Sarah Brieley 1921 St Johns CE Moruya. Henry gave his age as 38 years (1883) born Milton, Mother Elizabeth Butler which is correct as her died when she was a child and her Mother Jane Brown became Butler.

War Record

Digital copy held by the Australian National Archives. Also a copy in held in Author's Collection

Honour Rolls
Milton Town Memorial

also the RSL Honour Roll


Henry is the only Aboriginal listed on the Town War memorial.

Batemans Bay Town War memorial

Notes

1945 Living at Port Kembla Wollongong
1955 Henry living at La Perouse Sydney and noted his Mother as living at Morley Point when he enlisted in 1915. This should be Bawley Point.

Sources

War service record held on personal archives. Digital copy held by the Australian National Archives