Orders, Decorations and Medals

Victory Medal 1914-19 (2 Lieut. C. H. Cole) extremely fine £60-80

Charles Henry Cole was born on 6 September 1897 at 1a, Coleridge Road, Finsbury Park, London. He was the son of Charles Edward Cole, a a Bank Clerk, and Susan Ann Cole. Charles Henry was educated at Wilson College, Stamford Hill and was a Patrol Leader with the 153rd North London Troop of Boy Scouts. On leaving school he was employed in the Managers Office of the Prudential Assurance Company but on 6 September 1915, his 18th birthday, he left to join the Inns of Court O.T.C. At that time he was living at Durlston, 118 Conway Road, Southgate, London. He was 6107 Private Charles Henry Cole, Inns of Court Contingent for 126 days until he was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion 11th County of London Regiment (Finsbury Rifles) on 10 January 1916. At that time the 3rd Battalion were stationed in Egypt having taken part in the Gallipoli Campaign, but 2nd Lieutenant C H Cole did not sail to join them, instead on 14 July 1916 he was diverted to Flanders to join the 1/5th (City of London) Battalion (London Rifle Brigade). The 1/5th Battalion were badly in need of reinforcements. As part of 169 Brigade, 56th Division they had attacked Gommecourt at 0830hrs on the 1st July 1916 with a battalion strength of 23 officers and 803 other ranks. At 1700hrs that night they had only 89 unwounded men. The final casualty list was 588. For the next two months the 1/5th were heavily engaged in the Seventh Phase of the Battle of the Somme. They took a leading part in the Battle of Combles and on 3 October were occupying front line trenches at LeBoeufs. A night attack was launched and in this night attack 2nd Lieuteant C. H. Cole was killed. His company commander later wrote, ‘He did his duty at all times, never failing in the smallest degree. His courage at times of danger was an example’. His Colonel wrote, ‘I am sorry to lose him - he was a most promising officer’. Although he was buried behind the British front line trench his body was not recovered and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial. Sold with copied service papers and other research.