Acting Company Sergeant Major Frederick Stephen Carey Coleman East Kent Regiment
The Man Frederick Stephen Carey Coleman was born on Tuesday 4th September 1883 in Hoo, East Kent, son of George Henry a Labourer and Jane Elizabeth nee Payne. One of twelve children, two of whom died very young, Ellen M C born in 1882, George Henry - 1886, Emily J – 1890, Ernest Edward – 1892, William John A Coleman – 1895, Mabel J – 1897, Arthur Victor – 1898 who was killed in action on 24th March 1918 in France and Flanders, Lilian Pretoria – 1901 and Florence Maise – 1907.
By 1891 the family were living at 12 Lansdowne Place, Northfleet, Kent and as soon as he was able to after his education, Frederick enlisted aged 16 into the 3rd Battalion (The Buffs) East Kent Regiment as a Private with service number 5894. He saw service in South Africa and was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps ‘Cape Colony and Orange Free State’ and the King’s South Africa Medal with clasps ‘South Africa 1901’ and ‘South Africa 1902’.
Having left the Army Frederick became a Labourer and on Christmas Day 1910, aged 27 married Flora Sarah Ann Anderson a Dressmaker, in St Nicholas Church, Strood. They lived at 145 Gordon Road and had one daughter, Flora Ada May born on 23rd October 1911. Frederick was employed without competition at The Admiralty, Royal Naval Ordnance Depot, Upnor as a Skilled Labourer, this appearing in the London Gazette of 2nd January 1912, as well as noted in the 1911 census.
By 1891 the family were living at 12 Lansdowne Place, Northfleet, Kent and as soon as he was able to after his education, Frederick enlisted aged 16 into the 3rd Battalion (The Buffs) East Kent Regiment as a Private with service number 5894. He saw service in South Africa and was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps ‘Cape Colony and Orange Free State’ and the King’s South Africa Medal with clasps ‘South Africa 1901’ and ‘South Africa 1902’.
Having left the Army Frederick became a Labourer and on Christmas Day 1910, aged 27 married Flora Sarah Ann Anderson a Dressmaker, in St Nicholas Church, Strood. They lived at 145 Gordon Road and had one daughter, Flora Ada May born on 23rd October 1911. Frederick was employed without competition at The Admiralty, Royal Naval Ordnance Depot, Upnor as a Skilled Labourer, this appearing in the London Gazette of 2nd January 1912, as well as noted in the 1911 census.
Frederick re-enlisted at some time into the Territorial Force, Kent Cyclist Battalion and later Royal West Kent Regiment with service number 265056. Following the start of World War I on 4th August 1914, he was called up, seeing service ‘at home’, probably with the 3/4th or 3/5th (Weald of Kent) Battalion, for the duration, although seemingly volunteering for overseas service as he later unsuccessfully applied for the Territorial Force War Medal.
In Army Order 67 of 1st February 1919, Frederick was awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal and living with Flora at 88 Brompton Lane, Strood. At about the same time he left the Territorial Force, having been promoted to Acting Company Sergeant Major and joined the St John Ambulance Brigade, Rochester County Division No 8 District and was promoted through the ranks to District Officer.
In 1938, Frederick was awarded the Service Medal of the Order of St John and in the 1939 Register, now aged 56 was living with Flora at 6 Slatin Road, Strood and shown as serving the in St John Ambulance. He saw no service during the war, most likely on account of his vital war work within the Ordnance Depot, membership of St John and age. In 1945 aged 62 he retired from the Royal Naval Armament Depot as a Skilled Labourer, Acting Laboratoryman and in the London Gazette of 14th September awarded his Imperial Service Medal.
Flora passed away on 7th October 1954 and was buried at Strood Cemetery, plot V93. During the second quarter of 1956, aged 73 Frederick re-married to Bertha E Tugwell in Chatham.
Frederick passed away on 8th December 1975 and buried with Flora in plot V93 at Strood Cemetery. Bertha died during the last quarter of 1982.
In Army Order 67 of 1st February 1919, Frederick was awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal and living with Flora at 88 Brompton Lane, Strood. At about the same time he left the Territorial Force, having been promoted to Acting Company Sergeant Major and joined the St John Ambulance Brigade, Rochester County Division No 8 District and was promoted through the ranks to District Officer.
In 1938, Frederick was awarded the Service Medal of the Order of St John and in the 1939 Register, now aged 56 was living with Flora at 6 Slatin Road, Strood and shown as serving the in St John Ambulance. He saw no service during the war, most likely on account of his vital war work within the Ordnance Depot, membership of St John and age. In 1945 aged 62 he retired from the Royal Naval Armament Depot as a Skilled Labourer, Acting Laboratoryman and in the London Gazette of 14th September awarded his Imperial Service Medal.
Flora passed away on 7th October 1954 and was buried at Strood Cemetery, plot V93. During the second quarter of 1956, aged 73 Frederick re-married to Bertha E Tugwell in Chatham.
Frederick passed away on 8th December 1975 and buried with Flora in plot V93 at Strood Cemetery. Bertha died during the last quarter of 1982.
Frederick Coleman's World War I medal index card.
The Story The medal group awarded to Frederick Stephen Carey Coleman were acquired from Noonan’s Auction on 15th February 2023 and of interest because of the treble long service combination.
Interestingly, but not unusually for the time of award, the medals are all named slightly differently. The Boer War pair named to F Coleman. The Imperial Service Medal to Frederick Coleman, the TFEM to F S Coleman and the Service Medal of the Order of St John to F S C Coleman.
Ancestry.UK, London Gazette and Wills enabled a biography to be pieced together and it was especially pleasing to find a photograph of Frederick on Ancestry and to acquire a photograph of his grave.
Sold by Noonans a part of a 'Special Collection' the Alan Catheray Collection.
Interestingly, but not unusually for the time of award, the medals are all named slightly differently. The Boer War pair named to F Coleman. The Imperial Service Medal to Frederick Coleman, the TFEM to F S Coleman and the Service Medal of the Order of St John to F S C Coleman.
Ancestry.UK, London Gazette and Wills enabled a biography to be pieced together and it was especially pleasing to find a photograph of Frederick on Ancestry and to acquire a photograph of his grave.
Sold by Noonans a part of a 'Special Collection' the Alan Catheray Collection.
- Queen's South Africa Medal: 5894 PTE F.COLEMAN, E.KENT REGT
- King's South Africa Medal: 5894 PTE F.COLEMAN. E.KENT REGT
- Imperial Service Medal: FREDERICK COLEMAN
- Territorial Force Efficiency Medal: 265056 SJT; - A. C.S.MJR:-F.S.COLEMAN. KENT CYC.BN:
- Service Medal of the Order of St John: 15150 CT/OFF. F.S.C.COLEMAN. ROCHESTER CT.DIV No8 DIS SJAB 1938
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