McCOSKER, Ernest Owen

Ernest, a twenty-seven-year-old married man, enlisted in Brisbane in May 1916. He recorded his occupation as Grazier from Inverell NSW. He was a son of Owen and Elizabeth McCosker of Inverell.

Ernest joined the 52nd Battalion, 8th Reinforcement and attended a Corporal’s School for three months before sailing from Australia for England on HMAT A64 Demosthenes in December 1916. Prior to his departure he attended a citizens farewell at Inverell Council Chambers and was one of the volunteers presented with the Inverell medal and socks. Three months after arriving in England he was sent to France. He was gassed in May 1918, invalided to England, and admitted to Northamptonshire War Hospital for treatment. He returned to France in October 1918 where he served until April 1919. He returned to Australia and was medically discharged in August 1919. Ernest died in 1949 and is buried at Tamworth NSW.

Ernest’s name is inscribed on the Ashford and Inverell Honor Rolls.