William George Cole
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William George Cole was bon in 1893 at Halesworth, Suffolk and was the son of John a coal merchant and Catherine Cole née Leech of 48 Brushfield Street Hyson Green Nottingham. His father John was born in 1860 at Halesworth and his mother Catherine Dinah Leech was born in 1863 at Redishaw, Suffolk, they went on to marry in 1883 at Blything Suffolk, they went on to have 7 children all of whom were born in Halesworth, they were , Ada b1884, John b1888, Charles b1890, William b1893, Leonard James b1895, Ernest b1896 and Doris b1900. In the 1911 census the family are living at 4 Bungay Road, Halesworth, Suffolk and are shown as John 51 yrs a coal merchant, he is living with his wife Catherine 48 yrs and their children, Leonard 16 yrs an apprentice motor body maker, Ernest 15 yrs a news boy, Doris 11 yrs a scholar. In 1911 William has left the family home, we find him boarding at 3 Mill Road, Chelmsford, Essex, he is barding with Ann Swell 67 yra wiodw, he is shown as 18 yrs single and working on a railway bookstall.
Corporal William George Cole enlisted at Woldingham, Surrey on 13th July 1915 whilst residing at 7 Revelon Road, Bromley, Kent giving his age as 23 yrs he was a bookstall clerk. Posted to the 16th battalion, Middlesex Regiment he joined his battalion on 15th July 1915. He went to France on 8th January 1916 and was promoted to Lance Corporal on 18th May 1916 and to Corporal on 29th June 1916.he was killed in action on the First day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916 and is buried at Beaumont Hamel British Cemetery Grave Reference: A50
His brother Sergeant Leonard James Cole enlisted at Ipswich and served with the 4th battalion Suffolk Regiment. He was killed in action on 26th August 1917, having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cott Memorial, Somme.
