Name
Frederick James Coles
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/03/1918
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
10660
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POZIERES MEMORIAL
Panel 28 and 29.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Hertford Heath Village Memorial, Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Little Amwell
Pre War
Frederick James was born in Little Amwell in 1885 (baptised 29 Oct 1885) to Frederick Coles, a gamekeeper, and Harriet (nee Saville).
On the 1891 Census Frederick was living with his parents, younger brothers Charles Henry and Alfred at Goat Row, Little Amwell. On the 1901 Census the family now consisted of parents, Frederick J (employed as a house boy), Charles, Alfred with the further additions of younger brothers Thomas and George together with sisters Daisy, Lily and Rose at 20 London Road, Little Amwell. Charles father died in 1903. On the 1911 Census, still at 20 London Road, Frederick J was a labourer, Charles was employed as butler/college manservant (as was Alfred, Thomas was a butcher’s assistant, George was working as a farm labourer, Daisy was a housemaid with Lily and Rose at school.
Wartime Service
Frederick James enlisted at Hertford as Private 10660 in the Bedfordshire Regiment. No Service Records could be found. His serial number indicates an enlistment date in August 1914.
Following his training he went to France on 30 Jul 1915 with 7th Battalion. This Battalion were engaged the Battle of the Somme 1916, Arras and Passschendaele in 1917 and in 1918 the Battle of St Quentin. On 24 Mar 1918 The 7th Battalion were situated Villequier-Aumont defending against the German Advance of the Spring Offensive Frederick was reported killed in this action.
His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme.
Additional Information
War Gratuity £17 and arrears of £13 2s 6d was paid to his mother.Brother Charles Henry served with 6th Battalion Bedfordshires and was killed in action on 25 Jul 1916. Brother George served with Hertfordshire Regiment and was killed in action on 3 Feb 1915.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
