Regimental number | 4806 |
Date of birth | |
Place of birth | Melbourne, Victoria |
Place of birth | Middlesborough, England |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Mechanic |
Address | Dorcas Street, Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 27 |
Next of kin | Friend, Thomas Hankins, Auburn Road, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Victoria |
Enlistment date | |
Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 22nd Battalion, 12th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/39/3 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on |
Fate | Effective abroad (still overseas) |
Other details |
Born William Thomas HANKINS. Left home at the age of 14 or 15 and took the name WILKINS. Worked on sailing and steam ships sailing between Melbourne and Europe. Spent many years in Europe and England returning to Australia before the start of the 1st World War. Worked at Melbourne City Council Electric Light and completed a course as Telephone Mechanic. War Service: France - was gassed and sent to England for treatment. After the Armistace he married in London and worked (still as a member of the A.I.F.) in the Manchester Telephone Exchange. Returned to Australia on the "Ormonde" in 1919 and resumed the name of HANKINS. Left Melbourne in the early 1920's and began farming wheat in Barellan, New South Wales, adopting the name of Robert COYE. Joined the 2nd A.I.F. under this name, but because of his age had to state he was five years younger and also that he was born in England to avoid producing a birth certificate. Served at Victoria Barracks, Adamstown, Moorebank, Duntroon, Leichhardt workshops. Was discharged on 31 October 1947 and worked for the Army as a civilian until 1963 |
Date of death | |
Age at death | 90 |
Place of burial | Botany Crematorium, Sydney, New South Wales |