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Cpl. Richard Henry Coad
British Army Royal Army Medical Corps
from:Burnley
(d.22nd May 1915)
Dick Coad was killed in action on the 22nd of May 1915, aged 23. He is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Richard Henry and Ellen Jane Coad. Born at Redruth, Cornwall. Dick lived at 47 March Street, Burnley. He was wounded on May 20th 1915 and handed over to the 4th (London) Field Ambulance for treatment.
His friend, Harry Greenhalgh, wrote to Dick's parents: "Last Thursday evening the Germans started shelling this place, and a group of us were standing not far from our billet when a shell burst about ten yards away. Dick, Will and another of our chaps were hit, but we soon had them inside, and our officer, who is a doctor and was in the billet at the time, attended to them, and it was not long before they were taken into hospital. I went to see them the following day and found them all right. As I expect Dick will be all right in a few weeks. They have taken him away from this place, I don't know where he has been removed, but I am expecting a letter from him any time now. I received the parcel you sent to him yesterday, and Dick told me to divide it among the section. I am looking after his kit for him and will let you know if I hear something."
Sadly, Dick succumbed to his wounds and was buried at Chocques Military Cemetery. Harry Greenhalgh, also from Burnley, survived the war and ended up as a Serjeant in the R.A.M.C.
