World War I

Tasman Pressland Cooley was born on the 1st December 1893 in Richmond, Tasmania to Thomas Charles Cooley and his second wife Augusta Annie Cooley.

Regimental number:    1023
Religion:    Roman Catholic
Occupation:    Tailor
Address:   Care of Mrs H Childers, 11 Lily Street, Hobart, Tasmania
Marital status:    Single
Age at embarkation:    22
Next of kin:    Mrs H Childers, 11 Lily Street, Hobart, Tasmania
Enlistment date:    25 September 1914
Rank on enlistment:    Private
Unit name:    15th Battalion, G Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number:    23/32/1
Embarkation details:    Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A40 Ceramic on 22 December 1914
Rank from Nominal Roll:    Private
Unit from Nominal Roll:    15th Battalion
Fate:    Returned to Australia 20 October 1915

See photo in Military Gallery

Reference from The National Archives of Australia

Record Search database Series B2455 barcode 3403578

On page 8 of the 37 page document, Tasman's medical report shows he suffered shrapnel wounds to his right thigh on 20th May 1915 at Gaha Tepe Gallipoli. The injuries were so bad that he was afterwards discharged as being permanently unfit.

Tasman was awarded three medals, 1914-1915 Star (shown at left), the War Medal and the Victory Medal.