Crewe Coles Coles was the third son of C E Coles Pacha CMG the Inspector General of Prisons in Egypt and of Mrs Coles of Stone House, Bishop’s Hull, Taunton.
He was educated in Eastbourne and at Cheam School before going to Wellington.
He was in the Lynedoch from 1904 before going up to Jesus, Cambridge and taking his degree. He rowed for Jesus in the Lent Races and was Head of the River.
“Coles (11st 5lbs) was a committed oarsman and won head of the river in Lent Bumps 1909, rowing at No 2 in the same boat that T. M. Crowe (another Gallipoli casualty) stroked. He also rowed at the Henley Regatta in the Ladies’ Plate and Thames Cup.” (Jesus College Boat Club Records)
“Coles also took part in a couple of athletics events, taking part in the 120 yards hurdle race and the high jump. In the December 1908 College Sports event he recorded a height of 5ft 2½in, which was some way off the Olympic Gold Medal height in the 1912 games at 6ft 3in” (Jesus College Society Annual Report, 1909, p36).
He was initiated into Isaac Newton University Lodge No 859, the lodge of the University in 1908. Isaac Newton was a popular lodge among OWs with Raphael, Bryant, Van Duzer, Larmour, Stoney and Stephenson all being members.
He joined Grecia Lodge No 1105 upon coming down from Cambridge.
His other great passion was Borzoi hounds. His obit recorded that “He was a gentle but manly youth. His friends might like to know that his grand Borzoi which accompanied him on his walks died this year” (Jesus College Society Annual Report 1915, p32). The College believes that he kept his Borzoi in the College Stables owing to its size; Dogs were not allowed in College.
He volunteered in 1915 and was commissioned into the East Lancashire Regiment.
Serving with the 4th Bttn the East Lancashire Regiment at Gallipoli he fell at Gallipoli on 4 June 1915, shot while leading his mean in an attack on the Turkish trenches in front of Krithia.
The Brigadier-General commanding 126th Brigade wrote of him as follows:
“I personally held the highest opinion of him and his capabilities. He behaved with great gallantry and was conspicuous throughout this action. He led his men on gallantly, and they followed him. He was amongst the troops of this division who reached bang up to and into the enemy’s rearmost trenches. In fact, I am told that a portion of the attack reached Krithia, but owing to other parts of the attack not being able to get as far, they had to fall back to the general line. His Colonel and the regiment deeply regret his loss, as I do. I had marked him down for special mention. Gallipoli, June 27th.”
