No.6611, Private, Howard Victor COLE
Aged 22
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Howard Victor Cole was born in Ridgewell (Halstead Q2-1894 4A:625), son of Charles and Ellen COLE (née RAWLING).
1901 census...Aged 6, he was at Mill Road, Ridgewell with his father Charles COLE[40] general dealer/chicken and pigs; his mother Ellen [36]; brothers Archie [16] cattle dealer, Hugh [12], William [9] and Charley [3]. All were born in Ridgewell. 1911 census...Aged 17, a farm labourer, he was still in Mill Road, Ridgewell with his parents; brothers James (dealer in fowls), Thomas Hugh and Charles William, both farm labourers, Charlie and Morris Donald [7] born Ridgewell. |
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Howard enlisted in Chelmsford ("Soldiers Died" has him born there).
Laventie sector "B" (left) and "C" (right) Coys at 36.N.8.c.6.4. War Diary : Artillery preparation opened at 11 am, attack at 6 pm. 2/1 Bucks on our left, Australian Division on left of 2/1 Bucks, 183 Bde on our right and 182nd Bde on right of 183 Bde. 8th and 61st Divisional Artillery behind our line. Casualties Officer 3 killed and 2 wounded. Other ranks 35 k. 115 w and 8 shell shock. Bn relieved by 2/4 Oxford and Bucks LI at 10.30 pm. Marched back into billets at Rue de la Lys 36.G.27c.2.25. CWGC records show 29 killed, all buried in Laventie Military Cemetery. click here to go to Royal Berkshire Regiment Great War Project for a very comprehensive report on the action |
photo:Rodney Gibson
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details