COE, Horace [of Worksop]

Horace Coe in The Borough of Worksop Roll of Honour of the Great War 1914 - 1918

Worksop Guardian, Sissons & Son Ltd.

Worksop Guardian 31 December 1915

Sergt. Horace Coe

On Christmas day, when the bells were ringing in the anniversary of the birth of the Prince of Peace, Mrs Coe of 139 Eastgate, Worksop, received the distressing news that her husband, Sergt. Horace Coe, 10513, 8th Lincolnshire Regiment, had died of wounds sustained in action at the Dardanelles. The receipt of the news was doubly sad as that day would have been the birthday of the deceased soldier. Sergt. Coe who was well known and deservedly popular in Worksop, was a brave and seasoned soldier. He had eight years good service in the Rifle Brigade to his credit when, as a Reservist he was called up on the outbreak of the war. When the 6th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment was formed he was transferred. His exceptional abilities as a soldier were soon recognised and he was promoted to Sergeant in May, and went to the Dardanelles in June. With the dash and determination of a British NCO, he led his men into many battles in Gallipoli. Some time ago he was wounded – all his teeth were knocked out through the explosion of a shell – but he was soon back into the firing line again, as brave and as plucky as ever. He was wounded again on 18th December, through gunshot fire through the chest and abdomen, and immediately on being put on board the hospital ship, Soudan, he died. The price of victory is indeed great! A week last Wednesday his wife received a letter from him in which he said he had ‘done something’, which meant either honour or promotion. He promised to tell all in his next letter.

Sergt Coe who before residing in Eastgate, lived in Carlton Road, was a policeman and was at Worksop for two years. He resigned from the Force, however, and for a year before rejoining his regiment, worked at the Dinnington Main Colliery. He was 30 years of age. The widow has received letters of sympathy from the King and Lord Kitchener. The news is all the more sad as the Sergeant leaves two children, the eldest being only four years old. To her and her children the genuine sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended in this their sad trial, but the sergeant died as he had lived, a gallant soldier and a gentleman and “Greater love hath no man than this …”