Gunner George Cole
67091 Royal Field Artillery, D.Btty. 159 Bde.
Lived at 43 Hendon Road, Nelson
Killed in Action 5th April 1918, aged 20
Buried in Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension - I.E.8
Nelson Leader 26th April 1918
George was born in Catlow in 1898, living at Catlow Bottoms in 1901 with his father, mother, grandmother and three sisters, and by 1911 the family had moved to 221 Barkerhouse Road, Nelson. George was then employed as a cotton weaver, aged 13.
Between 1911 and 1914 the family had moved to 43 Hendon Road, and George was working for Thomas Fletcher and Son at Dale Mill on Hallam Road. Following the declaration of war George enlisted for the Army in January of 1915, likely still being 16 years old (17 at the very oldest). He arrived in France following training as a Driver on 25/09/1915, I believe through the dates matching up serving with the 110th (Howitzers) Brigade.
His service record does not survive, but at some stage between September 1915 and April 1918 he was redesignated as a Gunner, and transferred to the 159th (Glasgow Howitzers) Brigade, assigned to D Battery.
On 05th April 1918, the final day of Operation Michael during the Kaiserschlacht,
the 159th were stationed at Bresle overlooking Dernancourt and Morlancourt
having been warned of an expected imminent attack. The attack came that
morning, a German bombardment commencing aimed at Bresle. Their spotters
reported the enemy massing across the railway at Dernancourt and in Morlancourt,
and fire began to be concentrated on the German positions. The 159th began
receiving urgent SOS calls for immediate artillery support throughout
the day, which they performed effectively as requested whilst under heavy
indiscriminate and counterbattery shellfire including the use of gas shells.
During the day three men of the 159th were killed, and four wounded. Sadly,
one of the three killed was George. A letter was received by his parents
as follows:
“I am writing to tell you how dreadfully sorry I was to hear
of your son’s death. I was his section commander, and although I
had not known him long, I could see he was a boy who would do well and
was a good worker. I am glad to be able to tell you that he suffered no
pain, but was killed instantly after helping to carry another man down
who was badly wounded. I am very sorry for your great loss, but you can
be consoled that he himself is now happy and free from all troubles of
this world." Yours sincerely, Victor Charles Holland, Lieutenant.
George was 20 years old at the date of death, having come of age and become
a young man in Army service. He was buried by his comrades, and in July
1919 was exhumed by 119 Labour Company to be permanently reburied in Ribemont
Communal Cemetery Extension on the Somme. His grave marker reads “There
is Sweetness in Remembrance”.
A memorial appeared in the Nelson Leader on the same page as the report of his death, reading:
In loving memory of Gunner George Cole. Killed in action,
France, April 5th, 1918.
Duty called him – he was there,
To do his bit, and take his share;
His heart was good, his spirit brave,
His resting-place, a soldier’s grave.
From his sorrowing father and mother.
We have lost, Heaven has gained,
The best of brothers this world contained.
From his loving sisters, Annie, Fanny, Polly.
43, Hendon Road, Nelson.
George appears on the 1914-15 Nelson Honour Roll situated in the library,
and also the St John’s Church honour roll.
His medals have sewn-on safety pins to the original ribbons, indicating
wear by his mother or father at Remembrance.
(Courtesy of Jay Cassidy)
