Lewis Coles is my 3rd cousin. He was born sometime in the fourth quarter of 1938 – his birth was registered at Darwen in Lancashire. Lewis is the second child of Lewis Charles Coles and Irene Fletcher. Our common ancestors are Harrison Musgrove and Jane Rooking – my 2x great grandparents.
In the 1939 Register Lewis’s parents are living at 9 Hollies Road, Blackburn, Lancashire. His father’s occupation is “schoolmaster”.
I know from the newspaper article below that Lewis attended Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, where his father was an English master. It seems that Lewis was a bit of a star at athletics and was awarded the Victor Ludorum Cup in 1955.
This is an extract from the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times of Friday 15 July 1955. – taken from the British Newspaper Archives website.
Master’s Son Is Grammar School Victor Ludorum
Sixteen-year-old Lewis Coles, of Hollies Road, Wilpshire, son of Mr L C Coles, English master at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, became this year’s Victor Ludorum at the school’s annual sports at High Moor, on Tuesday.
Coles, who had 11 points, was presented with the Victor Ludorum Cup by a former physical training master at the school, Mr D W Spencer.
He had earlier set up two new school records running 100 yards in 10.6 seconds, and 220 yards in 24.6 seconds.
The following year Lewis was runner up to Colin David Ford – only one point separated them.
If I say so myself I was also pretty nippy as a runner at school and won both the 100 and 220 yards races for my “house”. I also represented the school at West Leeds Schools athletic events. Now I’m lucky if I can manage to run a bath!!
you don't choose your family 