Pte. Fred Cole Awarded Military Medal, 1st July 1916

Forty one year-old Fred Cole, a miner at Manton Colliery before the war, was serving with the 70th Light Trench Mortar Battery, attached from 11th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment (The Sherwood Foresters), on 1st July 1916. He kept his mortar in action until he had used all his ammunition, for which he was awarded the Military Medal. In a letter to his family, he said, “They will stare at Worksop at me getting the Military Medal. I got it for saving my gun when we were over the top on July 1st. I shall never forget that day as long as I live.” [1]

In the words of his official citation, Cole received the award,

“For great gallantry and devotion to duty on July 1st, 1916, near Ovillers, when, although wounded, he remained with his Gun in “No Man’s Land” and continued firing it till he finished all his ammunition. He then crept back to our own lines carrying his Gun with him.”

In a letter to his wife, Cole was clear where his priorities lay:

“…What do they think of old Cole getting the Military Medal; but I would sooner be at home with my children. They can have all the Medals if I can be at home with you. I shall never forget it as long as I live. A good many boys went under that day from Worksop, poor lads…. Tell your father, I should like a pint of Worksop beer…. Keep on smiling.” [2]

Home, family and beer: not a bad combination.

[1] 'Worksop Guardian’, 22nd September 1916.

[2] ‘Worksop Guardian’, 15th September 1916.