Born in Ballarat, Victoria and a Framer by trade, Sydney Coles was 33 years and single when enlisted on the 22nd of June 1916 in the 8th Battalion, 20th Reinforcement, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 6242, and was listed as returned to Australia on the 13th of February 1917. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 'Euripides' on the 11th of September 1916. Marched in 8th Battalion from Australia on the 30th of October 1916; marched in from Wareham England on the 12th of December 1916; marched in from Perham Downs, England on the 7th of December 1916; marched out to Wareham, England on the 7th of December 1916; marched into No.2 Com Depot, Wareham on the 12th of December 1916. Embarked return to Australia per H.T. 'Benalla' on the 13th of February 1917. Discharge from the 3rd Military District on the 6th of June 1917. Tree No. 1223