| Date of birth | |
| Other training | MA (University of Melbourne) |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Teacher |
| Address | Anthony Street, Largs Bay, South Australia |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 44 |
| Height | 5' 7.5" |
| Weight | 187 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs G M Coghill, Anthony Street, Largs Bay, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Served as Lt Colonel, 78th Infantry Regiment, Citizen Military Forces. Previopusly served as Lt, University Corps of Officers (Victoria), 1897-98; Lt, 2nd Infantry Bn, Victoria, 1898-1906; Captain, 6th and 10th Australian Infantry Regiments, 1906-08; Major, 1908-10; Lt Colonel to date. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Rank on enlistment | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, Headquarters |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Adelaide, 18 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 18 December 1915. Admitted to 15th Field Ambulance, 22 March 1916 (pyrexia and chill); transferred to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, Ferry Post (influenza) (date not recorded); rejoined Bn, Duntroon Plateau, 4 April 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Memorandum, Brigadier General E. TIVEY, 8th Infantry Brigade, 23 July 1916: 'I beg to report that I do not consider that Lieut. Colonel D.M.R. Coghill is equal to the task of commanding the 32nd Battalion. Since the recent action [Fromelles, July 1916] he has not been able to face the situation with resolution and it is necessary in the interests of the Battalion that an Officer be appointed who can face difficulties and set an example to the men.' Major General J.W. McCay, GOC, 5th Australian Division, concurred, 23 July 1916: ' ... he is unequal to the nerve strain of Commanding a Battalion at the front in times of stress or heavy losses. I ask for instructions in the matter, recommending that Lt. Col. Coghill be not further employed at the front.' Relinquished command of 32nd Bn, 27 July 1916. Commenced return to Australia from Portland on board HT 'Marathon', 8 August 1916 ('unsuitability); disembarked Adelaide, 24 September 1916; appointment terminated (discharged), 10 October 1916. Re-embarked Adelaide on board HT Seang Bee', 10 February 1917, as OC Troops on Board (voyage only); disembarked Devonport, England, 2 May 1917. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Ayrshire', 23 May 1917, as OC Troops on Board; arriveded Melbourne, 17 July 1917, for onward travel to Adelaide; appointment terminated (discharged), 22 July 1917. Embarked Sydney, 8 May 1918, Sea Transport Staff, HMAT 'Osterley'; disembarked Liverpool, England, 10 July 1918. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Carpentaria', 8 August 1918; disembarked Melbourne, 4 October 1918, for onward travel to Adelaide; appointment terminated (discharged), Adelaide, 6 October 1918. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Head Teacher, Woodville High School, South Australia |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 51 |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, COGHILL Donald Murray Robertson |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
