William Cole (1844-1922) founder of Essex Field Club
WILLIAM GEORGE
11 Sterry Road, Barking, Essex IG J J 9SJ
Introduction
A year or two ago restoration work at St. Osyth's Cemetery, near Clacton, uncovered the neglected
gravestone of the Cole Family. One of the names recorded on the memorial was that of William Cole
"Founder of the Essex Field Club". There are two fascinating but conflicting accounts of William
Cole's role in the Field Club. Ironically both were penned by Percy Thompson (1866-1953) who
was Cole's successor as Curator and Secretary of the Field Club. Thompson's obituary of William
Cole was published in 1923 (Thompson 1923 pp. 167-171). In this he generally praised Cole as
Secretary and Curator to the Field Club and dismissed any criticisms of Cole's personality. Some
seven years later in 1930 Thompson wrote A Short History of the Essex Field Club 1880-1930 in
which he barely concealed his contempt for Cole and openly criticised his work and behaviour. The
aim of this short article is to briefly detail Cole's life and assess his contribution to the Essex Field
Club.
Plate from Essex Naturalist, vol. XX, 1923
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)