Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Frederick William Coleman was born in the 1st quarter of 1888 in Nuthurst, Sussex to carpenter James and Edith Ann (nee Thomson).
Frederick’s father James was born in the 1st quarter of 1849 to labourer Henry born about 1824 and Caroline nee Hore, born about 1826, all in Sompting, Sussex. His mother Eliza was born about 1848 in Nuthurst to agricultural labourer Peter, born about 1813 in Shipley, Sussex and Harriett, born about 1818 in West Grinstead, Sussex. Eliza was baptised on the 28th of April 1848 in Nuthurst. James married Eliza on the 22nd of February 1868 in Sompting.
Frederick had nine known siblings: Alfred born about 1869; Caroline born about 1871; George born about 1873; Peter born about 1875; Annie Eliza born about 1877, all in Sompting. Ella Mary born about 1879; Lilian born about 1882; Ellen born about 1882 and Bessie May Coleman born 1884, all in Nuthurst, Sussex.
At the time of the 1871 Census, James, his wife Eliza and their children Alfred and Caroline lived with James’ parents at Burry Cottages, Sompting. At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived with Edith’s widowed father, Peter at Broadwater Road, Horsham, Sussex. James was working as a gardener and Edith was looking after their children: Alfred, Caroline, George, Peter, Annie and Ella.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Castle Pond Cottage, Copsale Road, Horsham. James was working as a gardener and Edith was looking after their children: Ella, Lilian, Ellen, Bessie May and Frederick. The household further comprised of a boarder, gardener, John Muddell.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at School Lane, Brockham, Surrey. James was working as a gardener and Edith was at home. The household further comprised of their son Frederick.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at Oakdene Road, Brockham. James was working as a gardener and Edith Ann was at home. The household further comprised of their daughter Caroline a cook, James’ widowed mother Caroline and granddaughter Gladys Ada Skipp (daughter of Lilian Coleman). The accommodation had five rooms.
At the time of the 1911 Census, carpenter Frederick was a boarder of labourer William Sycamore at 3 Meadows Walk, Ewell, Surrey. The accommodation had four rooms.
Frederick enlisted on the 29th of January 1915 in Hove, Sussex into the Royal Engineers. He was a Sapper with regimental number 65640. At the time of his enlistment he was working as a carpenter, repairing carts and making household furniture. He lived at 3 Providence Cottages, Oakdene Road, Brockham.
He was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 28th of April 1915. Frederick served from the 29th of January 1915 to the 31st of January 1916 at home. He embarked to Mediterranean on the 1st of February 1916 and became the part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force until his death on the 21st of September 1918. Frederick William Coleman was promoted to Corporal on the 15th of March 1917.
Corporal Coleman, when on active service, was absent for an hour from the Public Works on the 16th of February 1918 at 13th Base Park Company in Alexandria. He was severely reprimanded. On the 14th of July 1918 he was absent without leave and broke out of camp for over 9 hours at 13th Base Park Company, Alexandria. He was forfeited of all ordinary pay for 28 days. The next day on the 15th of July the Corporal broke out of the camp again. He remained absent until the next day.
At the time of his death he was part of the 13th Base Park Company of the Royal Engineers. Frederick was admitted with diarrhoea on the 4th of September 1918 at the 21st General Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt.
Frederick died of dysentery on the 21st of September 1918 at the 21st General Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt. He is buried at the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery. His cemetery reference number is: F.211.
He received the British War and Victory medals.
His father James received £9 and 1d on the 10th of March 1919 and a further £18 on the 3rd of December 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Frederick’s parents lived at Red Lodge, Alma Road, Reigate, Surrey in 1919.
| Born | Nuthurst, Sussex | |
| Lived | Brockham, Surrey | |
| Son of | James and Edith Coleman of Red Lodge, Alma Road, Reigate | |
| Regiment | Royal Engineers | |
| Number | 65640 | |
| Date of Death | 21st September 1918 | |
| Place of Death | Alexandria, Egypt | |
| Cause of Death | Died of dysentery | |
| Age | 30 | |
| Cemetery | Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt |
