Coulson, Kenneth Montague (Private, b.1925 - d.1945)

Letter related to the Second World War service of WX22555 Private Kenneth Montague Coulson 24 Australian Infantry Battalion.

Wallet 1 of 1 contains a letter Private Coulson wrote to his brother Ernest Coulson on 18 April 1945. The letter contains a hair-raising account of a skirmish with Japanese soldiers in jungle conditions. He also refers to his rifle called "Betty".

Kenneth Montague Coulson was born in Kununoppin, Western Australia on 20 July 1925. He worked as a builders labourer in Perth, and enlisted there on 17 August 1943. Coulson undertook initial training at Karrakatta, Western Australia. He then joined 2 Australian Training Brigade from June 1944 in New South Wales. Coulson completed Course 68 DVRS MT at Bongeilla, in July 1944. He then transferred to 24 Infantry Battalion, 14 November 1944, at Cunungra, Queensland. He embarked for overseas at Townsville on 29 March 1945, arriving in Torokina, New Guinea, several days later on 30 March. Coulson was reported wounded in action in the field on 20 April 1945, and died from his injuries three days later on 23 April.

• Coulson, Kenneth Montague (Private, b.1925 - d.1945)