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.

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.

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."

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.

On 12 February, 1913, Commander Cole was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 25.

Cole was appointed in command of the destroyer Albacore in January, 1914.

On 23 May, 1914, Cole was appointed in command of the destroyer Vigilant. 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.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by A. Dudley P. R. Pound	Captain of H.M. T.B. 58 11 Jul, 1899 – 1 Oct, 1899	Succeeded by Wilfred N. Custance
Preceded by Henry C. R. Brocklebank	Captain of H.M.S. Hasty 21 Jul, 1903 – 18 Aug, 1903	Succeeded by Neston W. Diggle
Preceded by Fitzroy H. Hall	Captain of H.M.S. Jason 23 Oct, 1909 – 2 Jan, 1911	Succeeded by Gilbert C. Heathcote
Preceded by Sydney H. Tennyson	Captain of H.M.S. Gossamer 15 Jan, 1912 – 29 Jul, 1912	Succeeded by F. C. Guy St. Clair
Preceded by Richard F. White	Captain of H.M. T.B. 25 12 Feb, 1913 – Feb, 1914	Succeeded by Joseph A. Shuter
Preceded by Lawrence D'O. Bignell	Captain of H.M.S. Albacore Jan, 1914 – May, 1914	Succeeded by Arthur F. E. Palliser
Preceded by Malcolm L. Goldsmith	Captain of H.M.S. Vigilant 23 May, 1914 – 12 Jan, 1915	Succeeded by William C. Castle
Preceded by Reginald St. P. Parry	Captain of H.M.S. Lynx 12 Jan, 1915 – 9 Aug, 1915	Succeeded by Vessel Lost