John Francis Herbert Cole
Commander John Francis Herbert Cole (9 December, 1878 – 9 August, 1915) was an officer in the Royal Navy. He was killed in command of H.M.S. Lynx when she struck a mine.
Life & Career
Born in Newton Abbot. Cole gained twelve months' time on passing out of Britannia.
Cole was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 July, 1900.[1]
In June 1903, Cole earned a first-class certificate in torpedoes at Greenwich. After a brief command appointment in the "H" Class destroyer Hasty, Cole joined the junior staff at Vernon before undertaking a string of service appointments as torpedo officer in a variety of ships, including Resolution, Glory and Renown.[2]
In 1910, Cole was in command of the torpedo gunboat Jason and delivered unsatisfactory results in a gunlayers' test. It was felt that he had "[f]ailed to appreciate standard of efficiency required."[3]
While wrapping up a half-year appointment as first and torpedo officer in Prince of Wales, Cole was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1912.[4]
On 12 February, 1913, Commander Cole was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 25.[5]
Cole was appointed in command of the destroyer Albacore in January, 1914.[6]
On 23 May, 1914, Cole was appointed in command of the destroyer Vigilant.[7] He served in her until being appointed to Hecla for Lynx, to take command upon her commissioning.
Cole was killed along with 62 other officers and men when Lynx struck a mine in the North Sea on 9 August, 1915.[8][9]
See Also
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Walter Hose |
Captain of H.M.S. Jason 23 Oct, 1909[10] – 1 Jan, 1910[Inference] |
Succeeded by Gilbert C. Heathcote |
| Preceded by Richard F. White |
Captain of H.M. T.B. 25 12 Feb, 1913[11] |
Succeeded by Joseph A. Shuter |
| Preceded by Lawrence D'O. Bignell |
Captain of H.M.S. Albacore Jan, 1914[12] – 1914 |
Succeeded by Arthur F. E. Palliser |
| Preceded by Malcolm L. Goldsmith |
Captain of H.M.S. Vigilant 23 May, 1914[13] – 14 Jan, 1915 |
Succeeded by William C. Castle |
| Preceded by Reginald St. P. Parry |
Captain of H.M.S. Lynx 12 Jan, 1915[14] – 9 Aug, 1915[15] |
Succeeded by Vessel Lost |
Footnotes
- ↑ Cole Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/461. f. 533.
- ↑ Cole Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/461. f. 533.
- ↑ Cole Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/461. f. 533.
- ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1913). p. 16.
- ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1913). p. 399.
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1914). p. 275.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 394.
- ↑ Kindell. Royal Navy Roll of Honour Part 2. p. 131.
- ↑ Cole Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/461. f. 533.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1910). p. 334.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1913). p. 400.
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1914). p. 275.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 394.
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 395q.
- ↑ Kindell. Royal Navy Roll of Honour Part 2. p. 131.
