Born in Ballarat, Grant, Victoria and a Painter by trade, William Coates was 26 years and single when enlisted on the 2nd of March 1917 in the 3rd Pioneer Battalion, Reinforcement 7, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Corporal, Number 3265. Private appointed Corporal in the Royal Park on the 12th of March 1917; appointed Corporal in the 9/2 Pioneer Battalion on the 2nd of April 1917; appointed Corporal in the No. 5 Australian General Hospital on the 3rd of May 1917; appointed corporal in the Pioneer Reinforcements on the 6th of June 1917; Corporal appointed acting Sergeant in the 7/3 Pioneers Battalion on the 1st of August 1917. Admitted Sick to Hospital on the 7th of March 1916 appendicitis Tel-el-Kebir; admitted to 3rd Australian General Hospital Peritonal Adhesions, Cairo on te 13th of July1916. Embarked returned to Australia per 'Seang Choon' for Australia change 4 months- Peritonal Adhesions, Suez on the 21st of June 1919. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on the 4th of August 1917. Discharged from the 3rd Military District on the 12th of September 1919 with the Termination of Period of Enlistment. Recommendations (Medals and Awards) Military Medal Recommendation date: 9 October 1918 Tree No. 249