Albert Ernest Coates was born in Ballarat, Victoria on 28/1/1895. Once he came of age he was a Postal letter-carrier. He was a single man and at age 19 enlisted on 17 August 1914 at Royal Park, Melbourne. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A20 Hororata on 19 October 1914. He was promoted to battalion Driver 6/10/15. From Alexandria he disembarked at Marseilles, 31/3/16. Transferred from there to 1st Sanitary section in France 2/8/16 , then was transferred temporarily to the 1st ANZAC intelligence corps Headquarters 16/2/17. From there then transferred to 1st ANZAC intelligence police 13/4/17. He returned to Australia 23 October 1918. Tree No. 153.