John Coles

John Coles (1833–1919) was a member of the London Stock Exchange, a prominent Actuary, a Justice of the Peace for the City of London and a freeman of the borough of Tiverton, Devon.

Early years and education John Coles was born at Church Pitt, Washfield, Devon, on 15 April 1833. His father, John Coles (1807–1859) was a prominent agriculturist of Washfield and Witheridge. His mother was Harriett Tidboald of an old Devonian family from Anstey Barton, Devon. He went to the Chilcott's Free School in Tiverton and then, from 1845 to 1850, to Mr. Thomas Quicke's Academy, Kings Lodge, Exeter.

At the age of 16, in 1850, he went to London as a clerk at the Medical, Clerical and General Life Assurance Society at a salary of £40 per year. His mother's first cousin, George Henry Pinckard (1805–1892) a nephew of Dr. George Pinckard, was the chairman of the company at that time. He was a Director of the Company of Adventurers trading into Hudson's Bay (Hudson's Bay Company), visiting Canada in 1896 and 1914 to view and report on the progress of the Hudson's Bay Company, travelling as far as Vancouver. He was present at the opening of the flagship Calgary store in 1913.

He was elected as a Director of the Medical and Clerical in 1871 and as chairman in 1903. He held that position until his death in 1919. and of having great influence on the insurance industry.

Coles joined the Honourable Artillery Company in 1859 and formed part of the guard of honour when Queen Victoria celebrated her silver jubilee in 1863.

Benefactions John Coles was proud of his Devon heritage and was a great benefactor to the Parish Church of Washfield, the borough of Tiverton and to Blundell’s School.

He is acknowledged as the largest donor to the restoration of St Mary’s Church, Washfield in 1874. A brass plaque fixed to the tower acknowledges his contribution to the church and notes that in 1901 he paid for the restoration of the tower and provided two new bells. The tenor is inscribed in Latin with the words meaning: Long live Edward VII King and Emperor. John Coles born in this parish gave me to God and the church. John Coles also paid for the repair of the first Parish Register (1554–1679).

By gift of £1,000 in 1887 he secured for Tiverton the site of the People's Park. He then provided additional funds to equip and beautify the park. He also provided funds for the Technical, Science, and Art School; the Town Library; and the Infirmary, including a completely equipped modern laundry at a cost of £400 and a nurses' block (known as the Coles Institute). As a Governor and Vice-Chairman of Blundell's School, Tiverton, he established the Physics Laboratory which was named the John Coles Laboratory. At the time of the Tercentenary of the school, on 29 June 1904, he presented the school with the Temple Memorial Portrait to commemorate the school's greatest pupil, Frederick Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury. He died on 18 October 1919 at Kensington, London. Probate on the estate valued at £461,780 was granted on 26 November 1919. His children were the main beneficiaries except for his son George who had inherited the estate of his godfather and great uncle, George Henry Pinckard, and under the terms of the will had changed his name from George Henry Coles to George Henry Pinckard by Royal Licence.

Other bequests included £1,000 each to Blundell's School for the upkeep of the John Coles Laboratory, the Poplar Hospital for Accidents, and the London Hospital.