Commonwealth of Australia Meritorious Service Medal: Staff Regimental Sergeant Major T F Coleman, NSW Instructional Staff

Commonwealth of Australia Meritorious Service Medal. The recipients rank, name, regiment and date of award are engraved on the edge. Obverse: The bust of Edward VII in Field Marshal's uniform facing left with the legend 'EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR' around the circumference. Reverse: In the centre 'FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE' surmounted by a Victorian crown within a laurel wreath and 'COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA' on the top circumference. The medal is fitted with a swivel scroll suspender and a piece of 32 mm maroon ribbon which has a broad white centre stripe with a narrow black central stripe.

Thomas Fulton Coleman was born at Sofala, NSW, on 18 December 1863. He enlisted in the NSW Artillery on 29 January 1885 and allocated the regimental number 1199. His attestation papers state that he was a gardener by trade, aged 21, height 5 feet 9 1/4 inches with grey eyes, brown hair, fresh complexion and religion as Church of England. In the Sudan he served as a driver with the NSW Contingent and in the South African War as a Warrant Officer with the NSW Citizens Bushmen Contingent during 1900-1901. Upon his return to Australia he joined the Permanent NSW Instructional Staff as a Quarter Master Sergeant and was promoted in 1908 to Staff Regimental Sergeant Major with the same unit. Coleman qualified for the Colonial Long Service Medal on 3 January 1903 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on 5 March 1910. On 1 April 1913 he was commissioned a Lieutenant (Adjutant) to the 43rd NSW Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to Captain (Adjutant) on 1 April 1918. He retired from military service as an Honorary Major in 1921. His brother William Hammond Coleman joined the NSW Artillery and also served in the Sudan and South African Wars. He joined the Instructional Staff on 1 October 1915 as a Lieutenant and was promoted Captain 1 January 1920. The ribbon on this medal is for the Permanent Forces of the Empire beyond the seas Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. It should be crimson with two dark green stripes down the centre.