John William Coy was the son of John William Coy and his wife, Agnes Veronica, nee Hannan. He was  born in 1898.  When he enlisted he gave his birth place as Melbourne but at the time of his birth the family were living at 70 [now demolished but site of 90] Jolimont Street, Jolimont, and this is most likely where he was born.  John snr was a railway employee and obviously chose Jolimont to live for its proximity to his work.  He continued to live there for most of his life, living for the greater period at 57 Agnes Street which was where John jnr was living at the time of this enlistment on 9 May 1916. John jnr gave his occupation as mechanical engineer, and stated that his military experience included four years with the senior cadets and was still serving.  He was of average height, with a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair.  He was appointed to Engineers’ Reinforcements as a sapper and sent to Seymour for training. On 13 October 1916 he was transferred to C Flight, No 4 Squadron, AFC and sent to training school at Laverton.
He embarked with other members of his squadron aboard the RMS Omrah on 17 January 1917 and arrived in Plymouth on 23 March 1917.  He was sent initially to Perham Downs but on 2 April 1917 was transferred to 71 Squadron at Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, for instruction.  Having graduated he was appointed Flying Officer (Pilot) as 2nd Lieutenant on 29 January 1918, and was promoted to Lieutenant on 29 April 1918.  He was sent overseas for service on 3 November 1918 and posted to No 2 Squadron a week later, just two days before the armistice.  He returned to England on 3 March 1919 to await passage to Australia. He arrived home on 6 June 1919 and his appointment was terminated on 13 September 1919
He wrote from Oakland, California in December 1926 requesting his medals to be sent to him, and saying that it would be some time before he returned to Australia.