Cole, John Fitzpen

John Fitzpen Cole - Royal Australian Navy

John Fitzpen Cole was born in Fremantle WA on the 9th April 1899 to Lionel and Esther Cole. He was one of eleven children, with Mary (1884), Arthur (1886), Owen (1888), Frank (1892), William (1894), Esther (1896), Harry (1901), Alex (1905), Dorothy (1910) and Edna (1913).

The family lived at 545 Edmund Street in Fremantle (later renumbered to 73 Edmund) and Frank was educated at Fremantle Boys School.

After leaving school he took up work as a painter.

John was a Naval Cadet during his school years and in 1913 when 14 years old he joined the Royal Australian Navy Reserve.

During the Great War John served in Fremantle Harbour, helping to guard troopships and also based at Navy HQ in Fremantle. He doesn't appear to have served overseas on any ships.

At the end of the war John was discharged from service.

In 1921 in Fremantle John married Mary Ann Simpson and they would go on to have three children, John in 1922, Malcolm in 1923 and Donald in 1925.

The family lived at 220 South Street Fremantle (later renamed 108 South St) and during this time John was employed as a Horse Driver.

By 1931 he was living at 90 Mary Street Fremantle and was working as a warder.

By 1936 he had moved to the warder cottages at 36 Henderson Street Fremantle. (later renumbered 31 Henderson).

John died on the 24th May 1956 aged 57. He was buried at Fremantle Cemetery plot Methodist Mon B4 0066.