Kings Royal Rifle Corps, 12th Battalion, Service no. R/17126
Killed in action 20th November 1917, aged 24
Story
Wilfred was the second cousin of Albert Edward, John, William and Arthur Coates, who also all enlisted. He was the son of Tom Durham and Annie Elizabeth Barker, who came over to Kippax in 1892, just after Wilfred was born. Wilfred was baptised in Kippax on 6th March 1892. He had two younger sisters who were also born in Kippax, but in 1900, the family moved to 51 Pontefract Road, Castleford. Wilfred worked as an Insurance Agent, following his father, who was an Insurance Superintendent, but Wilfred had become a furniture salesman when he enlisted 25th November 1915 in Castleford. 5 ft 5” tall, Wilfred trained at Winchester before being posted to France. On the 18th July 1916, he spent 52 days in hospital with a gunshot wound to his right arm, and spent a further 57 days in hospital on 23rd December 1916 with trench foot, and a further 142 days with trench foot on 10th March 1917, which was the longest period permitted. He was ordered to return to full duty on 30th July 1917, but only reported back at 10pm on 23rd August, and was prompted docked 5 days’ pay. Wilfred’s Service Record shows he was also sick with diarrhoea on two occasions, before he was killed in action:
Wilfred is commemorated at the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval Departement du Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France
Kippax Roll of Honour 