Pte
Wilfred Edgard Cole

Informations sur naissance

Année de naissance:
1898
Lieu de naissance:
Woolwich, Kent, Angleterre, Royaume-Uni

Informations générales

Profession:
Ouvrier
Religion:
Church of England

Informations service militaire

Pays:
Australia
Force armée:
Australian Imperial Force
Rang:
Private
Numéro de service:
6237
Incorporation date:
07/06/1916
Incorporation nom de lieu:
Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
Unités:
 —  Australian Infantry, 22nd Bn. (Victoria)  (Dernière unité connue)

Informations sur décès

Date de décès:
09/10/1917
Lieu de décès:
No. 3 Stationary Hospital, Rouen, France
Cause du décès:
Died of wounds (D.O.W.)
Âge:
19

Cimetière

St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen
Parcelle: III
Rangée: F
Tombe: 3B

Distinctions et médailles 2

British War Medal
Médaille
Victory Medal
Médaille

Points d'intérêt 3

#1 Lieu de naissance
#2 Lieu d'enrôlement
#3 Lieu du décès (approximatif)

Mon histoire

Private Wilfred Edgard was born in Woolwich, London, UK but enlisted the 22nd Battalion Australian Infantery Force, part of the 2nd Division, 6th Brigade. He was the youngest son of Agnes Cole and the late Arthur Henry Cole.

On 4th October 1917 the 2nd Division was ready to start up the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. (otherwise named Third Battle of Ypres).
By 04.10 a.m. the assaulting waves of the 6th Brigade were formed up on their tapes disposed to attack in 4 waves on a front of 4 Companies.
At 05.35 a.m. the Germans opened a heavy bombardment and caused many casualties on the jumping off line.
The English Barrage started at 06.00 a.m. (Zero Hour). The advancing waves almost at once encountered the Germans in force. Parties with fixed bayonets were met advancing. It soon became evident that they had anticipated a German attack.
Chasing the retreating Germans, the Brigade skirted Zonnebeke Lake and helped capture the village itself. On the way they captured 4 anti-tank field guns and carried on over their first objective without stopping, although some companies were brought back tot he first objective. The final objective was taken, including Broodseinde Village.

Private Wilfred Edgard Cole, age 19, was wounded when struck by a shell while waiting in a trench to attack on the 4 October 1917. He suffered shrapnel wounds penetrating his chest and shrapnel wound to the thigh, and died in Rouen, France 12.10am 9 October 1917. He was only 19 years of age.

His older brother Private Frank Henry Cole, 22 of age, also of the 22nd Battalion was killed by the same shell burst.

A third brother, Engineer Lieutenant Harold Arthur Cole HMS Bombala Royal Navy Reserve was killed in action 25th April 1918, age 27.
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Wilfred is buried in the Saint Sever Cemetery Extension in Rouen, France, Block P, plot III, row F, grave 3B.

Rapports avec d'autres militaires 1

Fichiers 1

Sources 8

"Passchendaele, The Day-by-Day Account",McCarthy C., Arms&ArmourPress, London, 1995, page 98-99"
Sources utilisées
AIF Project
https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=57514
Sources utilisées
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/26943/wilfred-edgar-cole/
Sources utilisées
Service Record
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3267702
Sources utilisées
The Australian War Memorial
https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?people_preferred_name=cole&people_service_number=6237&people_unit=
Sources utilisées
The Long Long Trail
http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/2nd-australian-division/
Sources utilisées
War Diary 22nd Battalion
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1356339
Sources utilisées
War Diary 6th Brigade
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1343090
Sources utilisées