Description
Africa General Service Medal, EDVII, bar Somaliland 1902-04, J. Coles, A.B., HMS Pomone.
189137 Jonah Coles was born on 24th April 1880 in Woolwich Kent, on 3rd June 1896 at the age of 16, he joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on HMS Impregnable.
On 7th July 1902, he joined the crew of HMS Pomone, serving on board until 23rd August 1904 where he was present throughout the Somaliland campaign earning this medal and clasp.
He continued his Navy service until 23rd April 1910 when he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve by 11th February 1911 as his 12 years service had expired.
However he returned to the Navy on 17th April 1914 onboard HMS St George.
He was then posted to HMS Sapphire from 2nd August 1914 until 30th October 1917 for most of WW1.
His other postings during WW1 were:
HMS Euryalus, 31st Oct 17 – 20th Dec 17
HMS Pembroke I, 21st Dec 1917 – 19th July 18
HMS Colleen (Sir Nevis), 20th July 18, 8th Aug 18
HMS Pembroke I, 9th Aug 1918 – 15th Sept 18
HMS Victory 16th Sep – 16th Sep 1918
A note here says: “Demobilized in order to take up Salvage Service.”
Demobilized for Salvage Service and seems to have done that for about 3 years until his discharge at HMS Pembroke I on 6th June 1921.
