Born in Melbourne, Bourke and a Farmer by trade, Charles Norman Lewis Coles was 20 years and single when enlisted on the 26th of November 1915 in the Field Artillery Brigade 8, Head-Quarters, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Corporal, Number 19553. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A7 'Medic' on the 20th of May 1916. Appointed Corporal on the 1st of April 1916. Admitted to Fargo Military Hospital on the 17th of December 1916 and discharged from Fargo Military Hospital on the 30th of December 1916. On the 1st of February 1917 proceeded overseas France ex R.B.B.A. Larkhill per S.S. 'Victoria' via Folkestone. Confirmed in rank on the 21st of September 1918. On the 26th of September admitted to L of C hospital Sick. Re-joined 5th Australian Field Artillery Brigade on the 3rd of January 1919. Granted 18 weeks leave without pay or allowances to return to Australia at own expense from the 14th of May to the 16th of September 1919. Embarked return to Australia per 'Port Denison' on the 25th of September 1919 and Disembarked on the 3rd of October 1919. Discharged on the 28th of December 1919 with the Termination of Period of enlistment. Tree No. 1959