| Date of birth | 12/03/1893 |
| Date of death | 10/04/1981 |
James Bernard French Coley
1893-1981
Parents: Elizabeth Jane Williams (Coley) & James Burnard French
Married: Barbara Easson (Dewar)
James Bernard French Coley was born on 12th March 1893 in Shannon, New Zealand his parents were Elizabeth Jane Williams and James Burnard French. James Bernard’s mother, Elizabeth was married to James William Coley; he was killed from a fall from a horse while rounding up cattle in 1891. James Bernard French lived with Elizabeth from about 1982 and together they had seven children. James Bernard French never married Elizabeth so all seven of their children were registered with the surname Coley. James Bernard was their first child and was the only one to have French added as a third name.
James Bernard grew up on his mother’s farm in Moutua, which is near Shannon. He was working for F. Chiles in Richmond near Nelson in New Zealand as a farm hand before he enlisted into the New Zealand Army, he was assessed on 27th August 1914 and was in training from 14th October 1914 for a total of 49 days. James was a trooper in the Canterbury Mounted rifles No 7/543. James departed Lyttleton, New Zealand on 16th October aboard Tahiti or Athenic destination was Suez, Egypt. He was in the 10th squadron which went to Walkers Ridge, Gallipoli. He has been listed as a driver in his military records.
James was admitted to hospital sick on 13th July 1915 then send to Malta 14th July 1915 slightly sick, he was then sent to England arriving in Weymouth England on 22nd November 1915, he then returned to active service 11th January 1916.
James must have met his future wife Barbara Easson (Dewar) while he was in England. She was born in Springbank, Alyth, Scotland her parents were Annie Esson & Mr MJ Esson. Annie her mother married Alexander Thomson Dewar in 1894, Barbara then used her stepfather’s surname of Dewar.
James was admitted to the Military Hospital in Dundee in October 1915 after his discharge from hospital James and Barbara were married on 19th November in 11 Ward Road, Dundee, Scotland. Barbara's address on her marriage certificate was given as Oakton Street, Kennington, London and James' address was Salisbury Plain, (near London) - Salisbury plain was a military training ground.
Barbara had a son born on 31st December 1914 in Dundee, Scotland, he was named George Dewar Coley, and then on 3rd May 1918 she had a daughter (in Dundee Scotland) whom they named Frances Jenny Williams Coley.
James Bernard brought his wife and family back to New Zealand, They lived in Ohau (near Levin) Foxton, Hunterville, then Feilding where James worked as a barber.
James Bernard French Coley passed away at the age of 87 years on the 10th April 1981 and Barbara his wife lived till she was 94 years old and passed away on the 10th January 1987 in Fielding they were both cremated and James Bernard’s ashes are interned at Kelvin Grove Cemetery, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
James Bernard French Coley was awarded military medals for his Military service in the First World War.
Written by Verna Coley
Copyright 2005
Revised 2014 vernadunn@yahoo.com.au