James George COE

‘Burnley Express’ (16 October 1918)

(Kindly supplied by Robert S. Richardson)

BURNLEY BANK CLERK KILLED

Yesterday information was received at the Bank of Liverpool, Burnley, that a former bank clerk there, Lieut. J.G. Coe, was killed in action on October 1st. He was in the Seaforth Highlanders.

‘Burnley Express’ (19 October 1918)

(Kindly supplied by Robert S. Richardson)

OUR FALLEN HEROES

OFFICER’S FINE EXAMPLE

Son to be Proud of

As briefly stated in Wednesday’s issue, news has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Coe, of Causeway House, Cliviger, that their only son, Lieut. James George Coe, of the Seaforth Highlanders, died of wounds in a dressing station on October 1st. Mr. Coe is well-known and highly-respected on the Ormerod estate, and his son, who was 28 years of age, was also widely known and esteemed. He came from Scotland, and was educated at Dingwall Academy, and on coming to this district attended Burnley Grammar School. From School he entered the service of the Bank of Liverpool, where he had been nine years. The deceased officer was a fine all-round sportsman. He enlisted as a private in November, 1915, and first went out in May, 1917, and was wounded two months later. On recovery he was recommended for a commission, which he took up in a kilted regiment.

Major P.C. Anderson, of his battalion, writes:–“Dear Mrs. Coe,–I am writing to offer you my own and the sympathies of the battalion on the loss of your son. He went into action in command of his company, and was leading them in an attack on a very strong point, when he was shot through the chest. He was taken to the dressing station, but, unfortunately, died of his wounds. He is greatly missed in his company, and in the battalion, where he always set a fine example to his men.”

A Letter has also been received from A.J. Macdonald, in which he writes:–“It was on the fourth day of a most successful advance that we came under heavy machine-gun fire, and your son was badly hit, gallantly leading his company forward. I had known your dead son for the past four months, and although not in the same company as he, we shared together times of difficulty and danger alike with times of happiness, and he was ever cheerful and smiling–a son truly to be proud of. He was as splendid a soldier as he was a thorough gentleman. At all times he was an inspiration to his men–an officer who helped to make this battalion the splendid one it is. By his death a great void has been left in our midst–he was so universally liked. He died as he lived, nobly giving his all in the cause of mankind he held so sacred.

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966

1919

COE James George of Causeway House Cliviger near Burnley Lancashire lieutenant Seaforth Highlanders died 1 October 1919 [sic] in Belgium killed in action Administration London 1 May to Isaac Joseph Coe gamekeeper. Effects £179 3s. 1d.