First World War soldier to be commemorated in Corby

Another Corby First World War soldier will be remembered this weekend on the 100th anniversary of his death.
Corby Borough Council will fly the flag outside the Corby Cube as part of their World War One commemorations, remembering William Coles on Sunday (May 15).Corby Borough Council will fly the flag outside the Corby Cube as part of their World War One commemorations, remembering William Coles on Sunday (May 15).
Corby Borough Council will fly the flag outside the Corby Cube as part of their World War One commemorations, remembering William Coles on Sunday (May 15).

Corby Council will fly the flag outside the Corby Cube as part of its First World War commemorations, remembering Sgt William Coles on Sunday (May 15).

Sgt Coles was born in Cottingham in 1881.

His father was Francis Coles of Cottingham, his mother Elisabeth Coles (nee Adkins), also of Cottingham. William had a number of brothers and sisters.

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He was a career soldier who first enlisted on November 9, 1899, in Northampton aged 18.

He was to serve as a Private (5981) in the Northamptonshire Regiment and at the time of enlistment his occupation was given as labourer.

Sgt Coles was killed in action on May 15, 1916. The exact circumstances of his death are not known.

His battalion was stationed south of Loos prior to their involvement in the Battle of the Somme later that year. May 1916 was generally a quiet month for the battalion.

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Sgt Coles is buried at St Patrick’s Cemetery, Loos, and commemorated on the Cottingham/Middleton War Memorial and the Roll of Honour at St Cyprian Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool.

Further information on the local soldiers can be found at the Cube Helpdesk and at www.corby.gov.uk.

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