Geoffrey Coles

Like five of his brothers, Geoffrey Coles was educated at Winchester College and studied practical engineering after leaving school, subsequently working for the Great Western Railway Works at Swindon, before moving to Cornwall and living off private means. He enlisted as a private with the 24th battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, known as the Sportsmen’s Battalion, formed only two months earlier. He could have obtained a commission, but was happy to serve amongst the ranks. In November 1915, his battalion went to France, and two months later Coles was killed by an exploding rifle grenade whilst on outpost duty at Festubert.