Subject

R.F.N. in the Kings Royal Rifles.

Andrew Behan has researched this man: Rifleman Arthur Edward Coles was born in 1895 in Goathurst, Bridgwater, Somerset, the eldest son of the four children of Frederick and Annie Coles (Percy Coles being his brother). His father was a Police Constable. On 4 August 1895 he was baptised at the Church of St Edward, King and Martyr, Goathurst, Somerset. The baptismal records show that the family was living at the time in the parish of St John, Hampstead. The 1901 census shows his family living at 3 Teresa Terrace, Hampstead whilst the 1911 census confirms that they had moved to Grove Cottage, North End, Hampstead and he was a Milliner's Assistant.

On 28 May 1915 he enlisted in the King's Royal Rifle Corps at St Pancras, giving his home address as 7 Wildwood Grove, Hampstead and his occupation as a Gardener. He was given the service number R/13416. He was initially posted to their 6th Battalion on 4 June 1915, but transferred to the 8th Battalion on 17 September 1915 and was embarked for France. He died of wounds received in action, aged 20 years, on 16 June 1916 at 2/1 Highland Field Ambulance that formed part of the 51st Highland Division and was buried in Plot 2, Row F, Grave 8 in the Maroeuil British Cemetery, near Arras, France. His father was sent his army effects totalling £3-16-7d on 2 November 1916 and a £3-10s-0d war gratuity on 2 December 1919.

He was posthumously awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal and these were sent to his mother who by then was living at 'The Crown', High Street, Spaxton, Bridgwater, Somerset.