Hargave - Private Coles

Mrs. Coles, of the Post Office, Hargrave, has heard from the War Office that her husband, Pte. E. Coles, of the Northants Regt., was killed on July 1st, and from a friend of his that it was in the village of Contalmaison. To the latter deceased had asked him say, if the worst should happen, “That he died for the working classes of Europe.” Deceased was a reservist, and had been in France two years. He had been through some terrible battles without a scratch. He was home on seven days’ leave last November, after bring in France 13 months, and his wife was expecting him home again, until the big “push” stopped all leave. He was 28 years of age. He leaves one little girl. Lieut. S. H. M. Mackenzie, writing to Mrs. Coles, says Pte. Coles was killed instantly by a shell which knocked out several others. The letter goes on: “I was standing just by him at the time. As you may know he was my servant, and had been through thick and thin for ten months. He always looked after me exceedingly well, and I feel his loss very much indeed.”