Private Benjamin Thomas Cole
642058
Born: South Shields, Durham, England
Lived in Orillia, ON
Killed in Action – August 8, 1918 Amiens, France
Buried at Hourges Orchard Cemetery, Domart Sur la Luce
The conversation held at the dinner table that evening still resonates a century later. Similar conversations were held at dinner tables across Canada at that same time. One can reimagine the eyes of the innocent staring up at their mommy and daddy while they blissfully gobbled down the delectable Sunday feast. The children would be blithely unaware that the conversation taking place between their parents would be the most effectual of their young life. However, they would notice the sudden dramatic change in the countenance of their mother…her tears, the look of concern and uncertainty on her face followed by feigned attempt to disguise her fear and ensure them that all was ok. But for many of these children, especially for two Orillia tots, it would not be ok….it would never be the same.
Two and a half year later, the brothers in question, Benjamin and Frank Cole would come to learn the tragic impact of that most difficult dinner that took place a long time ago. This would be the day that with a ring at the door, followed by the delivery of a telegram, the lads would learn that their father would not be coming home.
One can surmise that Benjamin Thomas Cole and his wife Edith had that most difficult conversation in the winter of 1915/16. At this time speeches from the lectern at St. James Anglican Church, amongst friends at community gatherings or within conversations at work would be all about the war. The pressure to enlist would be incredibly high. However, it should be noted that those who were needed to help produce goods and services for the war effort or those who has familial responsibilities were typically not expected to sign up. Yet with ex-pats like Benjamin Cole, the urge to join up was too great and he decided to do his duty and sign up for the war effort. He enlisted with the 157th Simcoe Foresters Battalion on Jan 4th, 1916.
Benjamin would say a final goodbye to his wife and sons, departing for England and arriving on Oct 28th, 1916. The 157th was quickly absorbed into the 116th Battalion and a month later, on Feb 11th, 1917 touched down in France. The nature of Private Cole’s experienced in the war are not known, however once can gain a better understanding of his experiences by the impacts on his health.
On September 14th 1917, Benjamin sought medical care for treatment of what referred to as P.U.O. or Pyrexia of an Unknown Origin. The reference is included in many, many service records of Great War soldiers…both of those who died over there and those who survived the horrors of battle and returned safely home. The reference is rather vague and non-descript as the symptoms could be varied. This became known as Trench Fever, now commonly known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This type of injury was one of the most common and also the most misunderstood. Benjamin would have had to endure great stresses on his body, brain and mind from the constant exposure to concussion caused by exploding artillery ordinances. By September of 1917 the battalion would have fought at Vimy, the Raid at Avion and Hill 70 at Lens. This meant his brain was forced to absorb the effects of constant shellfire for six straight months.
Either out of compassion or reward for his efforts, Benjamin was granted two leaves of 2 weeks each to England in early 1918. This was very uncommon for a Private soldier. Yet, did his return and joined the battalion as they prepared for the massive affair planned for late summer.
On the day of his death, August 8th, 1918, the Battalion Diary would ironically declare that the day was ‘highly successful’. Together they were able to achieve the objectives assigned to the Battalion and secured 16 field guns, 40 machine guns while taking 450 prisoners. However, in the early hours of the morning while the men were massing and ready to attack, the forward company was subject to artillery fire incurring a number of casualties. It was presumed that here, the father of Benjamin and Thomas and the husband of Edith, was struck by shrapnel from incoming shellfire. He would not survive to share in the glories of that ‘highly successful’ day.
Lest we forget.
(for additional info on Benjamin and picture...kinda..visit the following weblink https://www.simcoe.com/.../8477184-club-hears-sobering.../)