Orders, Decorations and Medals

Six: Lieutenant C. J. E. Coles, Royal Garrison Artillery, late 9th Battalion London Regiment - twice wounded in action

1914 Star, with copy clasp (2397 Pte., 9/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.); Defence and War Medals, unnamed; Special Constabulary Long Service, G.V.R., 2nd issue (Charles J. Coles) good very fine (6) £200-260

Charles John Edward Coles was born on 5 August 1895. Was educated at St. Paul’s School where he served in the O.T.C., attaining the rank of Sergeant. An Insurance Clerk by occupation, he attested for 1 years service in the Territorial Force at London on 31 August 1914 and was posted to the 9th Battalion London Regiment. With the battalion he served in France, 4 November 1914-7 January 1915. He received shell wounds to his neck and right arm on 1 January 1915 which caused him to be invalided to England. He returned to France once again on 9 May 1915-3 December 1916 but on 30 October 1916 received accidental wounds to his eye and neck while firing a rifle grenade.

He returned to England for treatment and then went on to No. 2 Group Royal Garrison Artillery Officers Cadet School at Maresfield Park, from which he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Reserve Brigade R.G.A. on 30 July 1917 (London Gazette 11 August 1917). Serving with the 26th Heavy Battery 1st London Brigade, R.G.A., he was wounded in action at Ypres on 11 March 1918 - suffering mustard gas poisoning causing damage to the skin of his legs and feet. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 31 January 1919 (London Gazette 15 July 1919). Coles relinquished his commission in the 1st London R.G.A. (T.F.) on 30 September 1921 (London Gazette 10 November 1921). Between the wars Charles John Edward Coles was in business with his brother, Frank Ernest Coles, farming at Lower Eastbrook Farm, Burlescombe, Devon; Coles also served in the Special Constabulary. Charles John Edward Coles relinquished his rank of Lieutenant on 30 September 1938 on enlisting into the ranks of the Auxiliary Air Force (London Gazette 6 September 1939).

With a quantity of copied research, including service papers and gazette extracts; with a C.D. of the same.