Lt.-Col. Frederick Minden Cole DSO in the Great War

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A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ

Lt.-Col. Frederick Minden Cole DSO born 1 August 1859. The eldest son of the late Major Frederick Cole, and Louisa Purkis (Barrett) Cole, of 23, Essex Avenue, Montreal. Husband of Florence Trenholme Cole, of 15, Holton Avenue, Westmount, P.Q. Twice Mentioned in Dispatches, and awarded the Distinguished Service Order during the Great War.

Educated at Montreal high school and McGill University, and was head of the firm of F. Minden Cole & Co,. real estate and insurance brokers.

Service

In 1878, Frederick Minden Cole joined the 51st Battalion as a Private. But, gazetted a 2nd Lt after a short course in 1879 with the Montreal Garrison Artillery. Then, in 1892, Cole was a Lieutenant-Colonel of the Montreal Garrison Battalion of Artillery. Then, Frederick Cole served in the Northwest Rebellion Force in 1885 and promoted to Major in 1888.

Frederick Minden Cole Montreal Garrison — Plains leaders, including Chief Piapot (second from right), with Lieutenant-Governor Edgar Dewdney, Lieutenant-Colonel Cole and the Montreal Artillery, 1885.

In addition, in 1896 he commanded the Canadian team of the Dominion Artillery Association at Shoeburyness, England. Finally, Cole was President of the Dominion Artillery Association in 1897-98, and in the Artillery Reserve from 1901.

During the summer of 1911 as Chairman of the Montreal Boy Scout Council, Frederick Minden Cole led what now would be a Scouts Canada Contingent of 4 Commissioners, 11 Scoutmasters and 125 Scouts to England for the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary.

Lieutenant-Colonel Cole the Camp Commandant from 1913 to 1914. On 16 January 1915, Cole appointed a Quebec Justice of the Peace for a 6 month period. Then, he joined the CEF in Montreal in July of 1915, as a Seige Artillery Officer Major.

Great War

Major Frederick Minden Cole stood 5’9″ tall, 165 pounds when examined on 15 June 1915 in Montreal. Joined the 97th Battery, Siege Artillery on enlistment. Transferred to the 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Embarked Halifax on 22 November 1915. Disembarked Liverpool on 1 December 1915.

Heavy Howitzer in Action. September, 1916. This photo shows an early Mark of BL 8-inch howitzer in action. MIKAN No. 3395183. Frederick Minden Cole — Heavy Howitzer in Action. September, 1916. This photo shows an early Mark of BL 8-inch howitzer in action. MIKAN No. 3395183

Cole assumes command of C.B.S.A. 8 January 1916, Horsham, Sussex. Then, on 27 January 1916 to be Lieutenant-Colonel and to command the Brigade. Finally, on 16 August 1916 proceeded to France.

On 24 November 1916, Cole appointed O.C., 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group, Lydd, Kent. Then, on 15 December 1916, Cole returned from France for two weeks. Finally, on 29 December 1916, Cole once again proceeded to France, and landed in Le Havre, 31 December 1916.

Granted ten days Leave of Absence, 27 August 1917. Then, Granted Extension of Leave, and rejoined unit from Leave, 16 September 1917. Mentioned in Despatches, L.G. No. 30448, 28-12-17.

Originals, 2nd Canadian Heavy Battery, Bonn, 3 January 1919. MIKAN No. 3522554

S.o.S. and establishment on proceeding to England for leave to Canada, 1 February 1918. Then, Taken-on-Strength by C.A.R.D. on Leave pending embarkation to Canada, at Witley Camp, 3 February 1918.

MIKAN No. 3404562. Frederick Minden Cole — Field Marshal Lord French inspecting Canadians at Witley and Bramshott, March 1918. MIKAN No. 3404562

Distinguished Service Order

A military order for officers only, and while normally given for service under fire, or under conditions equivalent to service in actual combat with the enemy, awarded between 1914 and 1916 under circumstances which could not be regarded as under fire. Then, after 1 January 1917, commanders in the field instructed to recommend this award only to those serving under fire.

The greater part of Cole’s service on the Western Front in 1917, although he certainly did serve under fire in December of 1916. Lt.-Col. Frederick Minden Cole awarded the Distinguished Service Order, L.G. No. 30716, 6-5-18.

Later in May 1918, for the second occasion, Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Minden Cole DSO Mentioned in Despatches, L.G. No. 30706, 28-5-18.

Discharge

Lt.-Col. Frederick Minden Cole DSO discharged from the CEF on 12 June of 1918, being Surplus to requirements. Finally, Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Minden Cole commemorated on Page 548 of Canada’s First World War Book of Remembrance.