Evesham Journal 25th November 1916 – PTE. COLDICOTT KILLED. “Pte. Albert Coldicott or ‘Cherub’ as he was always called in Pershore, was recently killed in action on the battlefield in France and the townspeople generally refer to the event in terms of the deepest regret. He was only a lad of 19 and was as popular in the town as his Father ‘Bussy’ Coldicott which is saying a good deal. His nickname ‘Cherub’ did not perhaps express his personality just as faithfully as Nuttall’s Dictionary does the precise meaning of the word; nevertheless it was quite a good one and contained, as Pershore nicknames usually do, quite a subtle humour. He was nice looking with an unalterable merry countenance and an infectious cheerful spirit. Therein lay the source of his popularity. He was as full of mischief as an egg is full of meat. He was the most juvenile member of the Working Men’s Club and if at times his exuberant vitality led him to dance instead of play on the billiard tables, the elders could not look on that countenance and chide such conduct as of course it ought to be chided. And now he is dead, his roguish pranks and audacious sayings are everywhere recalled in affectionate memory and with many a sigh that he will never in his life be seen or heard again. Two years ago when he was 17 years of age, he joined the Worcestershire Yeomanry as bugler and as he persistently expressed his desire for more active service – quite in keeping with his character – he was eventually transferred to the Worcesters. He had only been out in France seven weeks before he met his death. But he saw a good deal of fighting in that time and wrote and told his Mother how he put his first German hors de combat.  Major Blew, the Commander, in a letter to the parents bears out exactly that estimate of his character which this little report has endeavoured to imply. ‘It is a sad letter I have to write you to express my deep sympathy to you in the sad loss of your boy who was my cheery little trumpeter for so long during the weary months of training. I heard from his Sergeant who wrote and told me of his death and how he fought and died acting up to the highest traditions that have made the name of the Worcester lads so famous. I knew he was the right stuff and you have every reason to be proud of him. I should like you to know the esteem of your lad was held in by his mates and officers and that you and your family are not alone in your grief. I shall never have another trumpeter like him’.  A good deal of sympathy is felt for Mr & Mrs Coldicott in the loss of their youngest boy. It is only a year ago since their third son, Alfred, also of the Worcester died in Parkhurst Hospital, Isle of Wight. Another son, Harry of the Royal Field Artillery is at the front while the eldest son, Will, who was formerly a Butler to Bishop Gore is working in a munition factory”.

Molly Gooding