Frederick Coulam Handley

Frederick Coulam was born in 1887 at Kilenhall, Lincolnshire and was the son of Joseph Coulam a farmer and Amelia Handley (nee Hill) Joseph and Amelia had nine children in total however three died in infancy only six were to survive to 1911. He had three brothers - Albert Ernest born 1889 - Joseph Coulam born 1891 and Wilfred born 1897 and two sisters Lucy Ann born 1882 died 1918 and Isabella born 1901. In the 1901 census the family are living at Halfway House, Loughborough Frederick is 14 years of age at this time. In 1908 he met and married his wife Florence Cobb in Southwell, in the 1911 census Fred is now 24 years of age and has been married for three years , he is living with his wife Florence from Oxton also 24 years of age at Kirklington ,he is working as a farm labourer, they have one child Fred who is eight months old. They went on to have three further children John Jospeh born 1912 - Albert Ernest born 1914 and Fred Ernest Coulam born 1914. and they lived at Private Road King Street Southwell. All four of sons of Joseph and Amelia were to enlist and serve in the ' Great War' however their world must have been devastated when two , first Wilfred at the beginning of the war in January 1915 and then almost at the end of the war , Frederick on 16th October 1918 made the ultimate sacrifice and died.

He was employed by Mr Wakefield, farmer of Kirklington

He enlisted at Newark, and served with the 1/5th battalion Sherwood Foresters , his medal index card show his first theatre of war to be in France where he first went on 27th August 1915. He won the Military Medal London Gazette Date 7th October 1918 " Being an immediate award for his gallantry and devotion to duty at Kemmel during the second German offensive when they attacked between the 12th and 17th April 1918". Died of pneumonia 16th October 1918, aged 32.Buried in Tourgeville Military Cemetery 4.D.19 aka Handly and Fred Coulan

Sgt Frederick Coulam Handley Retford Times 8th November 1918 Laneham medallist dead. The sad news has been received of the death of Sergt F.C. Handley, eldest son of Mr and Mrs J Handley, Laneham, who passed away in hospital in France. He was recovering from wounds when pneumonia supervened, from which he died on October 16th. A short time ago this gallant soldier won the Military medal for bravery on the field. This is the second son Mr and Mrs handley have lost in the war, and heartfelt sympathy is extended to them in their sorrow. They have two other sons serving, Pte A Handley in France with the M.G.C and Pte J Handley , R.M.L.I. who has been wounded and is in hospital in Essex. Sergt Handley before joining up in January 1915, was employed by Mr Wakefield, farmer of Kirklington. He leaves a widow and three young sons, with whom much sympathy is felt.