Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frank Morris Coleman a cab proprietor, born 1857 in Kibworth, Leicestershire, and his wife Elizabeth Coleman (nee Cackett, married in the 4th quarter of 1885 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district), born 1857 in Downham, Norfolk. Charles Walter J. was born in the 2nd quarter of 1887 in Kibworth, in April 1891 the family home was at Leicester Road, Stonton Wyville, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Charles was residing at Main Street, Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire, this being the family home of his widowed paternal grandfather, Joseph M. Coleman an inn keeper, grazier and cab proprietor, born 14th April 1827 in Kibworth Harcourt, and baptised on the 23rd June 1827 in Kibworth Harcourt, together with his father, a cab proprietor and his mother. In April 1911 Charles was employed as a domestic groom and was residing at Back Street, Rearsby, Leicestershire. Charles married Ethel Phoebe Vass on the 22nd June 1912 in Clent, Worcestershire, Ethel was born in 1890 in Skipton, Yorkshire, they had one child, Clara E. Coleman, born 2nd July 1913 in Rearsby. Charles’s widow married William Ward in the 1st quarter of 1922 in the Leicester district.
The War Diary records: 28 Jun-17 - Final preparations for the assault. Collections of bombs and small arms ammunition etc. ZERO hour was 7.10pm at which time rain descended very heavily. Under heavy barrage the attacking waves advanced over the hill in splendid order and gained their objectives with practically no opposition. A few enemy were seen running away from ADJUNCT and ADJACENT trenches. A Coy under Captain C. F. WRIGHT and C Coy under Captain F. J. NAGEL were the assaulting companies. B Coy under 2nd Lt R. PROVIS carried stores for the Coy’s. D Coy under 2nd Lt A. B. PICK was in support. The trenches were found to be almost destroyed so posts were organised and the Coy’s dug themselves in for protection against shell fire which continued day and night. Communication to Battn HQ was very difficult and information scarce and quite impossible during daylight.
On Friday July 27th 1917, The Leicester Mail published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” - PTE. C. COLEMAN. (A photograph accompanied the article). – Mrs. Coleman, The Cottage, Rearsby House, learns that her husband, Pte. Chas. Coleman (39), of the Leicester’s, was killed in action on June 28th. A native of Kibworth, and for 13 years second horseman for Mr. John Cross, deceased was well known in the district, and greatly esteemed. Transferred from the Yeomanry, which he had joined in March 1916, he had served seven months in France, and in his last letter home had spoken of his prospective return. The widow, who is left with one child, would be grateful for information from any comrades who was with him at the last.
On Friday August 3rd 1917, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – REARSBY. KILLED IN ACTION. - Mrs Coleman of the Cottage, Rearsby House, has received official intimation of the death in action of her husband, Pte. Chas. Coleman, of the Leicestershire Regiment. Deceased, who was well known in the Melton district as second horseman for thirteen years to Mr Jno. Cross, of Rearsby House, was greatly esteemed for his upright, cheery disposition. He joined the Leicestershire Yeomanry in March 1916, and, after being transferred, served for seven months in France. He leaves a widow and one child, and Mrs Coleman would be grateful if she could learn any particulars from comrades who were near her husband at the last.