The genealogy is not a primary interest of this blog mostly because one could simply get mired in the genealogical details of each soldier. But brothers serving together are a subject of great interest in the blog’s research. The slow, painfully slow, digitization of the Library and Archives of Canada records of the soldiers of the First World War is in some ways a blessing. As part of the research “regime” of creating a Soldier’s Page if the digitized service records are available for review they are.
This documentation is a valuable resource for research and a fascinating insight into the lives of the soldiers. Some times the detail is incredible and sometimes it is an all too brief representation of the lives of these men.
In the case of the Coles the service records of both men confirm that they are brothers. The source location for F.J. Coles and W.F. Coles did not elude to the fact that they were related in any way. It relates basic biographical information and that they joined the C.E.F. on the 17th (W.F. Coles) and 19th (F.J. Coles) of April, 1916. The date and order of there regimental numbers is consistent. The brother enlisting at the earlier date would have a lower regimental number.
The document that confirmed this is called PARTICULARS OF FAMILY OF AN OFFICER OR MAN ENLISTED IN THE C.E.F. in which both Coles indicate their family members information and particulars.
| Abbreviated Headings | F.J. Coles | W.F. Coles |
| Name of Overseas Unit | 186th OS. Bn. | |
| Regimental Number | 880045 | 880037 |
| Full Name of Soldier | COLES, Frederick John | COLES, William Frank |
| Place of Birth | Portsmouth, England | Portsmouth, England |
| Are you married or not? | Yes | Yes |
| If married state: | ||
| Full name of your wife | Ethel Coles | Mary Coles |
| Present Postal Address | 15 Park Ave. West
Chatham, Ontario |
105 Park Ave. West
Chatham, Ontario |
| Have you children? | No | Yes |
| If so, give number of boys and girls? | 1 Girl | |
| Also their names and ages | Lillian Cole. 3 yrs. | |
| Names of Father and Mother | William and Sara Coles | William and Sara Coles |
| Address of Father and Mother | 111 St. George St.,
Chatham, Ont. |
111 St. George St.,
Chatham, Ont. |
The family lived very close to each other. On the map below the house address locations are plotted showing the relative distance between the Coles’ home addresses in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. The map covers a larger area to offer context for the locations relative to the rest of Chatham. Note the 500 meter scale at the bottom of the map as reference for linear distance.
Another aspect of the Coles brothers’ war service was the alignment of their service records in regards to the dates in which they both:
- Embarked for England on the S.S. Lapland (25-03-17)
- Joined the 18th Battalion in the field (05-09-17)
- Granted 14 days leave to the United Kingdom (12-08-18)
- Proceeded to England (04-04-19)
- Sailed from Liverpool on the S.S. Caronia (14-05-19)
These two men went into war living in the same town, joined the same battalion and their service records, except for some items, where aligned so they experienced their war service together. It makes one wonder how this happened? Was it Canadian Army policy to keep brothers together and assign leave on the same date or was it the date of their enlistment and draft that determined the course of their military service?
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History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 
If they originally enlisted in the same battalion (which looks like it was broken up for reinforcements) people might have pulled some strings to send the brothers to the same unit, i.e. the 18th Battalion. However it is kind of unusual that they got their leave together as well – I forget what the system was for choosing who went on leave at what time.
Thank you for your comment.
I have done some other brother biographies and did not note the same pattern. In some cases those biographies did not have the service records available to review.
You might be interested in my post about Charles Oliver Fairbank at https://goo.gl/JtuvK6 and a reference to Kingston in this post https://goo.gl/cUxcvC .
Hmm, interesting – I guess the brothers were very lucky to stay together then! Thanks for the links as well, great to read about Major Fairbank (looks like he was number 12 of the “Old Eighteen” first cadets) and the petition from Kingston city council! If it’s okay I’d love to do a short post on my blog highlighting it, I’d be sure to link back to your original post and give credit.
They also had another brother, Private Albert Edward Coles #880627 who was discharged March 20th, 1917, due to heart trouble. These boys are from my hometown.