[Edward] Leonard Coe

Name

[Edward] Leonard Coe
1875

Conflict

First World War

Date of Death / Age

29/09/1915

Rank, Service Number & Service Details

Private
9643
Coldstream Guards
1st Bn.

Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards

1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals

Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country

LOOS MEMORIAL
Panel 7 and 8.
France

Headstone Inscription

N/A

UK & Other Memorials

Not on the Berkhamsted memorials

Pre War

Edward Leonard Coe was born in Stackstead, Bacup, Lancashire in 1875, the son of Edward and Sophia Coe.    

On the 1881 and 1891 Censuses the family were living at Malt House Yard, Wighton, Norfolk where his father was working as an agricultural labourer. By 1901 he had left the family home and enlisted as a private with the Coldstream Guards and was living at Caterham Barracks, Surrey. 

He married Sarah Kate Bishop on 14 April 1901 at St Mary, Caterham. At that time, he gave his profession as 'soldier'. They had two children, Lilian Norah born 1901 and Edward George born 1904.

By the time of the 1911 Census Edward (then using his second name of Leonard) was listed with his family living at Pendall House Laundry, Bletchingley, Surrey, where he was working as a 'Handyman in Gentleman's House' and his wife was working as a laundress. 

He was said to be living in Berkhamsted on enlistment. 

After his death his widow gave her address as Beulah House, Caterham Valley, Surrey. 

Wartime Service

At the outbreak of war he re-enlisted into the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards and served in France from 8 December 1914. 

He was killed in action on 29 September 1915 near Vermelles. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France. 

Additional Information

His widow received a war gratuity of £3 and pay owing of £6 0s 10d as well as a pension of £1 1s a week. 

At various times although the GRO listing for Edward's birth is Haslingden, Lancs, Census records list him as having been born in Stackstead, Lancs, Bacup, Lancs, Oldham, Manchester, Wighton, Norfolk and Wells, Norfolk. 

Acknowledgments

Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild