Southampton (Hollybrook) Cemetery
(CWGC photo)
David was born in Bellamy, Madras, India in 1884 to
Frederick and Mary Coleman. His father was listed as
a soldier with the Royal Fusiliers.
His siblings were elder brother Fred, later a Sergeant
with the Royal Fusiliers, younger brothers Arthur, Edward
and Albert and sisters Charlotte, Ethel and Constance.
Apart from his short period as a civilian, he served
in the army for over 25 years.
David died from Pulmonary Tuberculosis on 18th March
1921
His widow, Guernsey born Lena May Coleman, née
Collenette, was awarded a Dependants Pension of 41 shillings
a week from 23rd March 1921
Commonwealth
War Graves Commission Record
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Band Sergeant David Augustus Coleman
2nd Battalion,
Royal Irish Regiment
18/03/1921
1914 Star
At the age of 14 years and 3 months, at Fort George,
Guernsey Channel Islands, David enlisted as a Boy Musician
with the Royal Fusiliers on 27th August 1895 being given
the Service Number 5330. He remained with the Royal
Fusiliers until 11th November 1910 being discharged
as a Sergeant after 15 years service and spending 6
of those years on service in India.
David wasn’t in civvy street for too
long as just over 4 months later, on 29th March 1911,
he joined the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment,
again at Fort George Guernsey, being issued the Service
Number 10194.
Based on his previous service, by May 1914, he had attained
the rank of Band Sergeant with the battalion.
David married Lena May Collenette in Guernsey on the 10th
June 1913. Records indicate they only had one child, a
son, Frederick Augustus born in Devonport England on 9th
December 1915.
David was with the first draft of the 2nd Battalion that
embarked for France on the 13th August 1914 and remained
with the battalion until sent home on 3rd June 1917 suffering
from Tuberculosis which was not then considered permanent.
He returned to the battalion in France on 24th April 1918
and remained with it until 7th May 1919 returning home
with the battalion. When the battalion went to India in
February 1920 he went with it. By this stage, due to the
Army changing the way it issued Service Numbers, he was
given a new Service Number 7109347.
He became ill with tuberculosis while in India and left
for home on 1st May 1920 arriving in Southampton on 24th
May and taken straight to Victoria Hospital Netley.
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