The AIF Project

Benjamin Alfred COHEN

Regimental number882
Place of birthPinda, South Australia
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLocomotive driver
AddressMidland Junction, Western Australia
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation37
Height5' 8"
Weight160 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs Martha Cohen, 'Canberra', Cope Street, Midland Junction, Western Australia
Previous military serviceServed for 3 years in the Western Australia Volunteer Artillery.
Enlistment date29 September 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll20 September 1916
Place of enlistmentPerth, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentCorporal
Unit nameRailway Unit, Section 3
AWM Embarkation Roll number15/9/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A28 Miltiades on 29 January 1917
Rank from Nominal RollSapper
Unit from Nominal Roll5th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company
FateReturned to Australia 21 June 1919
Discharge date10 September 1919
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Fremantle, 29 January 1917; disembarked Devonport, England, 27 March 1917.

Found guilty of being absent without leave from 10 pm, 28 April 1917, till 10 pm, 29 April 1917: reprimanded, and forfeited 2 days' pay under Royal Warrant.

Proceeded overseas to France, 11 June 1917.

Attached to 264 Company, Royal Engineers, 20 October 1917; rejoined unit from detachment, 26 October 1917.

Found guilty, 29 October 1917, of when on Active Service refusing to obey an order from the guard placed in charge of traffic by OC 264 Company: severely reprimanded.

Tried by Field General Court Martial, 1 April 1918, of charge of when on Active Service conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he, in the field on 25 March 1918, when ordered by CSM Burley to turn out for work replied 'Not until I have read my letters', or words to that effect: found guilty, reduced to the ranks.

On leave to United Kingdom, 19 June 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 25 June 1918.

Accidentally wounded, forehead, 26 July 1918; remained at duty.

On leave to England, 2 March 1919; rejoined unit from leave, 24 March 1919.

Marched out to England for return to Australia, 1 May 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board 'Konigen Luise', 21 June 1919; disembarked Fremantle, 2 August 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), 10 September 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, COHEN Benjamin Alfred

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