Private in the Royal Fusiliers.
Andrew Behan has researched this man: Private Percy Fred Coles was born in 1899 and his birth was registered in St Pancras, London. He was one of the four children of Frederick and Annie Coles (Arthur Coles being his brother) and his father was a Police Constable. 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 school pupil.
He enlisted in the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) with service number 23325 and entered France on 20 March 1918. On 1 April 1918 he was transferred to the 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) and was allocated the service number G.S/76012. He was killed in action, aged 19 years, on 5 April 1918. His mother was forwarded his army effects totalling £3-7s-1d on 29 August 1918. After the war his body was exhumed and reburied on 26 February 1919 in Plot 2, Row G, Grave 8 in the Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, Albert, Somme, France.
He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal. On 29 March 1920 his mother was sent his £3-10s-0d war gratuity.
