Gunner Fred Coleman
189539 Royal Garrison Artillery
Fred was born in 1898 at Upper Boddington, Northants, son of James Coleman born Buckinghamshire, a brickyard labourer and his wife Mary Ann born Boddington, Northants. In 1911 the family is living at Palmerston Street (Old Westwood), Westwood and Fred has a brother Harry and sisters Annie and Ivy.
The Absent Voters Roll of 1918/1919 give his service number, rank and regiment and lists him as absent from Palmerston Street. His Medal Rolls Index Card states that he received the Victory and British War Medals.
Fred died very young on 6th August 1937, aged only 39 and is buried at St. Mary’s, Westwood. The following account in the Nottingham Evening Post of 10th August 1937 carried the story of his death ‘ With Last Load Came Death. Jacksdale Miner’s Fall From Haycart. A Notts. miner, who was staying at his uncle’s farm between the villages of Moreton Pinkney and Culworth, South Northants., met his death in tragic circumstances. Although the man, Fred Coleman, miner, 39, Old Westwood, Jacksdale should have returned home to start work last Wednesday, he decided to remain with his wife and 13-year-old-son and help his uncle with the hay. They were fixing the last load when he slipped and fell from the cart, breaking his neck. At the inquest, conducted by Mr. Budge (deputy coroner for South Northants.), a verdict of “Accidental death,” in accordance with the medical evidence, was recorded. The coroner expressed sympathy with the widow in her tragic loss.’
His brother Harry married Daisy Slater at St Mary’s, Westwood on 26th December 1921. Although Fred also married, we are unsure of his wife’s or son’s names. Further information welcome.