Trustees of the
KOHIMA Educational Trust

Lieutenant Colonel J J Cole OBE

Lieutenant Colonel Jon Cole OBE was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals in 1987, serving in Germany, the UK and Hong Kong. He has deployed on operations to Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan, and visited many other places in the conduct of his duties and training. 

Jon Cole has visited India on exercise with the Indian Armed Forces, and has also been to Nepal (four times), where his main aim was to visit the work of the Gurkha Welfare Trust.  His specific interest in the Gurkha Welfare Trust has been school-building projects, which are supported by the Trailwalker charity event that he has organised and competed in over many years. 

A graduate of the Joint Services’ Advanced Command and Staff Course, his other studies have included a BEng (Hons) degree in Electronic Systems Engineering and an MSc in Defence Technology. 

He is married to Vanessa, who spends her days caring for their four children (Lydia, Hattie, Toby and Oliver).  A committed Christian, he supports his local Church and is a member of the Armed Forces Christian Union.  At the onset of middle age, his interests have switched from motorbikes, rugby and mountaineering to cycling, surfing and family camping holidays.  He has even converted to being a caravanner!

An ex officio trustee of the Kohima Educational Trust, Lieutenant Colonel Jon Cole OBE currently commands 2 Signal Regiment, based in York.  All 600 members of the Regiment proudly remember its heritage as part of the 2nd Division in Kohima, and support the Kohima veterans whenever possible, notwithstanding today’s operational commitments.