111069 Pioneer W.J. COALEY
Royal Engineers
by
Lieutenant Colonel Edward De Santis ©2008
Pioneer Coaley enlisted in the Royal Engineers for service in the Great War of 1914 to 1918. He was posted to the 2nd Labour Battalion, R.E., a unit attached to the British Fourth Army in France and Flanders. Coaley's unit first saw action with the Fourth Army at Pozieres from the 23rd of July to the 3rd of September 1916 and at Flers-Courcelette from the 15th to the 22nd of September 1915. The 2nd Labour Battalion was then attached to III Corps for the action at Morval from the 25th to the 28th of September 1916. It was then attached to XV Corps and was employed at the Battle of Le Transloy from the 1st to the 18th of October 1916. The battalion was subsequently assigned to the British Fifth Army and saw action at Bullecourt between the 3rd and 17th of May 1917.
Pioneer Coaley survived the war and was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
REFERENCE
Battle Honours of the Royal Engineers. The Royal Engineers Journal, 1925-1932.