William Walter Cole

A Private with 1st Bn., William died on 21st of June 1915 at the age of 35.

William was born at Ellough, near Beccles, in 1879, a son of William Walter and Harriett Cole. He was baptised at All Saints' Church, Ellough, on 7 September 1879. In 1881 his family lived at Ellough. By 1891 they were living at Beccles Road, Barnby, and William was a farm servant. In 1901 they lived at Barnby Green, Barnby, and William was fisherman. Later his parents lived at 2 Beanes Cottages, Kessingland. 

On 25 December 1910 William married Annie Bunn at Saint Edmund's Church, Kessingland. William was a fisherman and they both lived at Kessingland. In 1911 Annie lived at 6 Elizabeth Terrace, London Road, Pakefield. After William's death Annie married Arthur Hurren.

William volunteered and joined the Army at Lowestoft. He enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment. He arrived in France on 18 May 1915 to join the 1st Battalion. 

On 12 June 1915 the Battalion moved into trenches in the St. Eloi area. William was part of working party that had gone out to the wooded area nearby. At 2.30 a.m. the working party was held up by enemy shell-fire and one man was killed and one wounded. William was the soldier that was killed.