No.8163, Corporal, George COLE
Aged 20
|
George COLE was born in 1894 (1st qtr 1894 Thingoe 4a:780) son of Charles and Martha COLE(née READER)
It needs to be recognised that Denham End is one field away from Barrow 1901 census...Aged 7, he was at Wood House, Denham with his father Charles COLE [42] farm labourer, born Castle Camps; his mother Martha [37] born Linton; brothers Richard [20] born Hildersham, William [8] born Abington, Albert [5], Charles [3] and Harvey [1] all born in Denham 1911 census...Aged 18, he was in Barracks in Bury St.Edmunds with the Suffolk Regiment. His parents and 7 of his 8 brothers were still at Denham End. The pension card has his parents at 5 Denham End, nr Bury St.Edmunds, wihich also where CWGC have his brother William |
|
He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. His is another case, as with Herbert Brand, of the Germans finding his body, seemingly in 1915, but not knowing when he died or recording
where he was buried.
The 2nd Suffolks were at Le Cateau during the retreat from Mons. Having reached Le Cateau the Suffolks received an order to stand and fight, which they did, despite being in the most unsuitable defensive position. They, and the Argyll Highlanders, fought for around nine hours before being overwhelmed by the Germans. No-one seems to admit to issuing the first order for them not to retreat, but their heroic endeavours held the Germans long enough for much of the British Division to escape. The battalion suffered over 720 casualties, killed,wounded or missing. CWGC records show that they had 74 killed on 26th, only 7 having known graves.
and in Denham (St Mary's) Church click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
