Gunner Frank Harold Cole
| Date of Birth | c.1891 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 27 |
| Date of Death | 4 July 1918 |
| Service Number | 87960 |
| Military Service | 'C' Battatlion, 4th Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery |
| Merton Address | 125 Church Road, Mitcham |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Frank was born in Bermondsey in 1891, and baptised nearby at St Mary Magdalene Church on 15 February that year. The 1891 Census records the family living at Grange Walk, Bermondsey. Besides Frank’s mother Ellen and father Samuel, the rest of the family were Robert 5, George 4, Alfred 2, and Herbert aged 1.
Samuel was employed as a Leather Dresser, most certainly working for the Grange Tannery which was situated next to his residence in Grange Road. Bermondsey had a long history of leather production, due to the proximity of the River Thames.
By 1901 the family had moved to Mitcham, and Samuel was now working as a Chamois Leather Worker, for JS Deed and sons, at the Eagle Leather Works. The family lived at 13 Chapel Road, and had grown to include Ernest 8, Arthur 4 and Clara aged 3.
In 1911 the family had moved nearby at 4 Homewood Terrace off Church Road. Most of the children had left home by then, and only the youngest were still living at home. Ellen had eleven children in total, but sadly four of the children had died. Frank was still living at home and had followed his father into the leather work industry as he was employed as a Leather Grounder.
During World War 1, Frank enlisted at Wimbledon with the Royal Horse Artillery in 1914. He served with ‘C’ Battery, 4th Brigade. Little is known about his service history, but he died on 4 July 1918 during the German Spring Offensive. He was awarded 3 medals, the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the 1914-1915 Star which he received for being in the ‘Theatre of War’ between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915.
After the war, his father received his last pay of £9.18.8 plus £18.00 War Gratuity while the family were residing in 125 Church Road, Mitcham. Frank is buried in the Querrieu British Cemetery, France and his grave is marked with a Cross. He is also commemorated locally on the Mitcham War Memorial.
Tragically for the Cole family, Herbert was not the only member to be killed during the First World War. His brothers George Frederick and Herbert Charles Cole also lost their lives. Their stories are told on this website.