Private 17244 Joseph Coley
Died France & Flanders on Tuesday, 25th December 1917, age 44.
Buried in Grave III. J. 10. at Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.
747th Area Employment Company, Labour Corps.
Formerly 17244 South Staffordshire Regiment.
Husband of Mrs Emma Ada Coley, of 12 Railway Street, Toll End, Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Tipton, Resident: Tipton.
First landed France & Flanders, 25th May 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.
Commemorated on the Tipton Library Memorial.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.
Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/36790/
Genealogical Data
Birth of Josiah Coley registered June quarter 1873 in Dudley (born 13th June 1873). I am fairly sure that this is 'Joseph' as there is no more likely birth registered at the correct time in the correct place. Also corroborated by presence of brother Elijah at 1911 Census.
Parents John and Elizabeth Coley, 1871 resident at 5 Railway Street, 1881 resident at 8 Gough's Building, Horseley Heath. John died in 1884, Elizabeth re-married in 1889 (Woolcott) but died in 1891.
Marriage of Joseph Coley and Emma Ada Hartshorn registered in March quarter 1897 in Dudley.
1901 Census
5 Leech Street, Tipton, Staffs.
Joseph Coley (28, Coal Miner, born Tipton), and his wife Emma (25, born Newcastle upon Tyne).
1911 Census
12 Railway Street, Horseley Heath, Tipton, Staffs.
Joseph Coley (37, Coal Miner, born Tipton), his wife Emma (34, born Newcastle upon Tyne), and their 4 surviving children of 7: Joseph (9, born Tipton), Emma (7, born Tipton), Nellie (5, born Tipton), and Elijah (2, born Tipton). Also Elijah Coley (34, unmarried brother, Coal Miner - Loader, born Tipton). Two further children were born to Joseph and Emma: Louisa Marie (born 11th April 1911) and Hilda (born 5th September 1914).
Personal Data
Joseph landed in France in May 1915 serving with the South Staffs Regiment. He was most likely wounded or sick and deemed not fit for front-line service, and so was transferred to the Labour Corps.
Joseph had 3 spells in hospital during his service abroad. From 13th to 27th July 1915 (15 days) he was hospitalised at No.4 Stationary Hospital (at St. Omer) suffering from 'Myalgia' (muscle aches and pains). From 23rd September to 4th October 1916 (12 days) he was hospitalised at No.2 General Hospital (at Le Havre) with an "Inner Ear infection". This recurred, as from 13th October to 22nd November 1916 (41 days) he was again at No.2 General Hospital with an "Inner Ear infection". On all occasions he was listed as Pte 17244 J. Coley, 2nd South Staffs. On the latter two occasions he was noted as "P.B. Cinder City", this meant Permanent Base and Cinder City was an area of reclaimed marshland at Le Havre created by dumping thousands of tons of cinders to soak up the marsh. This was the location of numerous barracks huts, home to many men who were no longer fit for front-line service now often employed in docks work at Le Havre.
After Joseph's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £12/8/3d (12 pounds, 8 shillings and 3 pence); this was paid to his widow, Emma A., in May 1918. His War Gratuity was £13/10/0d (13 pounds and 10 shillings), this was also paid to his widow in November 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Joseph had enlisted in December 1914, about the time of birth of his last child, Hilda.
Joseph's widow, Emma Ada, was granted a Widow's Pension of £1/13/9d (1 pound, 13 shillings and 9 pence) per week for herself and her 4 children, this was effective from 19th August 1918. A grant of £5 had already been paid of 15th March 1918. Emma's address at this time was 12 Railway Street, Tipton. The 4 children eligible for pension were: Emma Ada (born 21st October 1903), Ellen Louisa (born 4th February 1906), Louisa Marie (born 11th April 1911) and Hilda (born 5th September 1914).
Action resulting in his death
Joseph Coley died on Christmas Day 1917. His Soldier's Effects papers records that his death was due to "chronic myocarditis"; this is inflamation of the heart muscle. This is confirmed by his Pension Records showing that death was due to "atheroma of the cornoary arteries, aggravated by Active Service". Atheroma is defined as "degeneration of the walls of the artery".
Joseph is buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension. As the 56th Casualty Clearing Station was located at Dernancourt at this time, it is almost certain that he died there.
Newspaper Cuttings
None.