Pte
Frank Henry Cole
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1895 |
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Place of birth: Woolwich, Kent, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Farmer |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 950 |
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Enlistment date: 05/02/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Donald, Victoria, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 22nd Bn. (Victoria) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 04/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Zonnebeke Château Grounds, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 22 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: Bay 23 stone P |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) | ||
| #4 | Memorial cross |
My story
Frank Henry Cole was the son of Arthur Henry and Agnes Cole. He was born in Woolwich, England around 1895 and worked as a farmer. He emigrated to Australia at the age of 18 and enlisted in the Australian Army in early February 1915. He joined the 22nd Battalion (6th Brigade, 2nd Australian Division). His younger brother Wilfred Edgar Cole also belonged to the same battalion. He fought at Gallipoli, before coming to Flanders and France.
Frank was killed on 4 October 1917 at the Battle of Broodseinde, which was part of the Battle of Passchendaele. The 6th Brigade pursued retreating German troops on that day and helped take the hamlet itself. The 22nd Battalion started the attack that day in the castle domain. The starting line was between 28.D.28.c.5.5 and 28.D.28.a.15.25.
Frank was killed just before the start of the attack when a shell hit the trench. According to the testimony of Sergeant C.W. Kingsman, Frank was killed instantly. Kingsman, who knew Frank well, was himself unhurt. However, Frank's 19-year-old brother, Wilfred, was hit by the same shell and died of his wounds in Rouen a few days later, on 9 October 1917.
A memorial cross had been erected in the castle domain (28.D.28.a.3.2) to Frank and 4 other soldiers: A.H. Evans, T. Cordon, J. Hannaker and R.C. Blom. Today, Frank Henry Cole has no known grave, but he is commemorated on the Menin Gate. His name is on panel 23 stone P.
Frank was killed on 4 October 1917 at the Battle of Broodseinde, which was part of the Battle of Passchendaele. The 6th Brigade pursued retreating German troops on that day and helped take the hamlet itself. The 22nd Battalion started the attack that day in the castle domain. The starting line was between 28.D.28.c.5.5 and 28.D.28.a.15.25.
Frank was killed just before the start of the attack when a shell hit the trench. According to the testimony of Sergeant C.W. Kingsman, Frank was killed instantly. Kingsman, who knew Frank well, was himself unhurt. However, Frank's 19-year-old brother, Wilfred, was hit by the same shell and died of his wounds in Rouen a few days later, on 9 October 1917.
A memorial cross had been erected in the castle domain (28.D.28.a.3.2) to Frank and 4 other soldiers: A.H. Evans, T. Cordon, J. Hannaker and R.C. Blom. Today, Frank Henry Cole has no known grave, but he is commemorated on the Menin Gate. His name is on panel 23 stone P.
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Wilfred Edgard Cole
Brother |
Sources 6
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"Passchendaele, The Day-by-Day Account",McCarthy C., Arms&ArmourPress, London, 1995, page 98-99" Sources used |
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22nd Battalion Australian Infantry (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/39/26). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
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6th Brigade Australian Infantry (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/6/26). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
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Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), RCDIG1064166). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
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First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920 (National Archives of Australia, Canberra (NAA), B2455). https://www.naa.gov.au/ Sources used |
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Unit embarkation nominal rolls, 1914-18 War (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM8). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
More information 4
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1598370 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7392853 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=d2a4dea5-67be-4407-8df0-f1c49116a38e |
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The AIF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=57353 |