RAN Veteran Frederick Coles Profile

Source: vwma.org.au

TL;DR

• RAN Service Profile: Virtual War Memorial page details Frederick Cris Coles's Royal Australian Navy service during World War II.
• Enlistment Facts: Born 1925 in South Australia, enlisted 1943 as Able Seaman on HMAS Moreton, discharged 1946.
• Profile Status: Record marked as under curation, inviting public contributions for stories and images.

The story at a glance

The Virtual War Memorial hosts a profile page for Frederick Cris Coles, a South Australian who served in the Royal Australian Navy. He enlisted at age 17 and served aboard HMAS Moreton before discharge. The page is being curated and seeks contributions from the public. This fits the site's mission to document Australian service personnel.

Key points

• Born 27 October 1925 in Stirling, South Australia; attended Heathfield High School; hometown Aldgate in Adelaide Hills.
• Enlisted 13 September 1943 in Port Adelaide with service number PA4395; rank Able Seaman.
• Served in HMAS Moreton; discharged 8 August 1946.
• Died 28 August 2011 in Balhannah, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, aged 85; buried at Centennial Park Cemetery.
• No occupation, cause of death, or memorials listed.
• Page shows two images and is marked "Coming Soon" and "being curated."

Details and context

Coles grew up in the Adelaide Hills area of South Australia before enlisting near the end of World War II. HMAS Moreton was a shore establishment in Brisbane, Queensland, used for training and administration in the RAN.

The profile lacks details on specific duties or experiences, as the page invites users to add stories, photos, and information. The Virtual War Memorial collects such records to preserve Australian military history, often relying on public input for completeness.

No additional service units, awards, or post-war life are noted.

Why it matters

Profiles like Coles's help document the contributions of over 1 million Australians in World War II, preserving personal histories for education and remembrance. Family researchers or local historians can use it as a starting point, though gaps mean further archives like the National Archives of Australia may be needed. Watch for public updates to the page, as contributions could add service stories or photos.