Private Charles Thomas Coles

Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.

Charles Thomas Coles was born on 17^th March 1895 in Norton-juxta-Kempsey, Worcestershire to gardener and Army Sergeant James Eade and Eliza Jane (nee Dilton).

James and Eliza had five children: James Eades born on 15^th October 1880 in the East Indies; Ernest William born on 28^th November 1884 in Nazimabat, the East Indies; Mabel Louisa born on 27^th March 1887; Charles Thomas born on 17^th March 1895 and May Coles born about 1897, all in Norton-juxta-Kempsey.

At the time of the 1891 Census, the family was back in the UK and lived in Norton Barracks, Norton-juxta-Kempsey. James was a Sergeant of the Worcestershire Infantry Regiment and Eliza was looking after their children: James, Ernest, Mabel and May. The family also comprised of general servant Annie Agnew. Eliza died in 1899 and was buried on 13^th of October 1899 in Tooting Graveney, London. At the time of her death she lived at 42 Graveney Road, Streatham. James remarried Emily Olega Webb, on 16^th April 1900 at Holy Trinity church, Upper Tooting, London. Both partners were widowed. At the time of the marriage James was working as a War Office clerk and lived at 42 Graveney Road. Emily Olega White lived at 62 Witton Road, Aston, Birmingham. Emily was born about 1850 Kingstown, St Vincent, West Indies to sadler William Webb.

At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 42 Graveney Road. James was working as an army clerk and Emily was looking after her stepchildren: carpenter’s labourer Ernest; Mabel; Charles and May.

At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 2 Kingston Villa, Park Road, Colliers Wood. The family comprised of army pensioner clerk James, Emily and May Coles. The accommodation had six rooms.

Charles Coles enlisted on 4^th February 1911 in London into the “A” Company, 3^rd Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment. At the time of his enlistment he resided in Merton, Surrey. He was a private with a regimental number 12376. He disembarked on 12^th August 1914 to France.

Charles died of wounds received at the Battle of the Aisne in France. He passed away in the No 4 General Hospital in Versailles, France. He is buried at the Les Gonards Cemetery, Versailles. His grave reference number is: 1.30. The headstone bears the inscription: “Fight the Good Fight”. He was 19 years old.

Charles’ father James received £7 and 1d on 27^th February 1915 and a further £5 on 19^th May 1919 in Soldier’s Effects. Charles’ will was in favour of his stepmother Emily.

Charles was awarded the British War and Victory medals and the 1914 Star.

Born	Norton, Worcestershire
Lived	Streatham, London
Son of	James of “Leith View”, Capel, Surrey and the late Eliza Jane Coles nee Dilton.
Regiment	“A” Company, 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment
Number	12376
Date of Death	4th October 1914
Place of Death	Aisne, France
Cause of Death	Died of wounds
Age	19
Cemetery	Les Gonards Cemetery, Versailles, France

Coles Family History

His father James was born about 1852 in Petersfield, Liss, Hampshire to postman William. James enlisted into the 61^st Gloucestershire Regiment of Foot at 5PM on 15^th January 1870 in Petersfield. He paid a bounty of £1. He was a private with a regimental number 1556. At the time of his enlistment he was working as a gardener. James was 5ft and 8inches tall, had a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. His military history sheet reads that he served in the UK from 18^th January 1870 to 28^th February 1871; in the East Indies from 1^st March 1871 to 18^th December 1884 and back in the UK from 19^th December 1884 to 16^th May 1896. James was transferred into the 56^th (West Essex) Regiment of Foot on 15^th July 1870. His new regimental number was 1483 and he was still a private. He was promoted to Corporal on 19^th July 1873 and to Sergeant on 26^th May 1876. He was transferred into the 83^rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot on 1^st September 1876. His new regimental number was 755 and he was a Sergeant. James was transferred into the 29^th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot on 1^st October 1880. His new regimental number was 2537. James was awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal on 1^st October 1895. He was discharged on 16^th of May 1896. He was in the Army for 26 years and 120 days.

James married Eliza Jane Dilton on 16^th February 1877 at St Andrew’s church in Kurrachee, Bombay, India. At the time of their marriage the couple resided in Kurrachee, India. Eliza was born about 1859 in Ireland to Thomas Henry.

The Surrey, England, Electoral Register, 1832-1945 reads that Charles’ father James and stepmother Emily lived in Leith View, Capel, Dorking, Surrey in 1919.