Died 30th April 1917

Aged 27 years

Commemorated at Higham Ferrers Cemetery
Grave 210

Tragic Death - Higham Ferrers Sailor Dies on Leave

A very sad death occurred at Higham Ferrers on Monday evening, when a young seaman passed away very suddenly.

The deceased was Leading Seaman Ernest John Coles, son of Mrs. Thomas Randall, of 59 High-street, Higham Ferrers, and was within a few days of celebrating his 28th birthday. He had been twelve years in the Navy, and was at the time of his death home on leave. He arrived on Friday week, and on Tuesday was taken ill with pleurisy and pneumonia. Dr. Crew attended him, but he passed away on Monday about 8p.m.

Just an hour after his elder brother had left home for France, the deceased arrived on leave. The brothers had not seen each other for twelve months, so the deceased bicycled to Wellingborough, and spent a short time with his brother while waiting for the train. The death adds tragedy to the mother’s lot, for it is barely eleven weeks since she lost her husband. The deepest sympathy will be felt for the bereaved.

The funeral took place yesterday (Thursday) amid many signs of sympathy, and with semi-military honours. A service was conducted at the parish Church, and the mourners included the wounded soldiers and nursing staff of the V.A.D. Hospital, two Higham Ferrers sailors who are home on leave, and eight soldiers who are billeted in the town. The coffin, which was of unpolished elm, with brass fittings, was draped with the Union Jack, and the deceased’s cap and lanyard was placed upon it. The breastplate bore the inscription:- “Leading Seaman Ernest John Coles, H.M. ship Assistance, died April 30th aged 27 years.” There were many beautiful wreaths.

Obituary—Much sympathy is felt throughout the borough with Mrs Thomas Randall, of 59, High-street, who has suffered a double bereavement during the past eleven weeks. On February 6th she lost her husband, the late Mr Thomas Randall, who passed away suddenly following a stroke. On Monday evening this week Mrs Randall’s second son, Leading Seaman Ernest John Coles, succumbed to pleurisy and pneumonia after but a week’s illness. The deceased sailor, who was 27 years of age, came home on leave on April 20th, and then seemed apparently in his usual health, except for a cough. Last Monday week, during the night, he complained of a severe pain in his side, and on Tuesday he was attended by the doctor, who diagnosed pleurisy, and pneumonia. On Friday last he became very much worse, and on Sunday evening he lost consciousness and never regained it, passing peacefully away on Monday evening. He joined the Navy when but 16 years of age, and had a 12 years’ creditable record, having received well-deserved promotions. He attained to the position of leading-seaman this year. Mrs Randall’s eldest son, Pte Herbert Edward Coles, is in the East Surrey Regt. and left for France but a week ago.

The Funeral of the late Leading Seaman E J Coles, whose death is recorded in this issue, took place yesterday at the Cemetery, the Rev H K Fry officiating. The first portion of the obsequies was conducted in the parish church, whither the cortege first proceeded. A large number of sympathisers assembled at the graveside, including the wounded soldiers with the matron and staff from the Auxiliary Hospital. Some of the wounded soldiers acted as bearers, and another sounded the Last post at the graveside. The coffin which was draped with the Union Jack, also bore the deceased sailor’s cap, and was of plain elm with brass fittings and bore the inscription:-

Ernest John Coles, L.S.
H.M.S. Assistance
Died April 30th 1917
Aged 27 years.

The mourners comprised: Mrs T Randall (mother), Mr Percy Coles (brother), Mrs H E Coles (sister-in-law), Wellingborough; Mr W Randall (uncle), Higham Ferrers; Mrs G Wright (aunt), Wellingborough; Mr and Mrs F Randall (uncle and aunt), Higham; Mr Horace Baker and Mr Sidney Baker (cousins), Rushden; Mrs Martin (friend), Higham Ferrers; Private John Martin, Royal Marines; Petty Officer Douglas Barnes. Wreaths were placed on the grave as follows:-

The undertaker was Mr F Parker. Yesterday morning Mrs Randall received the following telegram from the Royal Marines of H.M.S. Assistance: “Please accept from Royal Marines, H.M.S. Assistance, their heartfelt sympathy concerning the death of your son, who was loved and will be sadly missed by us all”.