Warminster Herald, Saturday 16 August 1879:
The annual sale and letting by auction of the ram lambs and rams of the celebrated flock of Mr R. Coles, of Middleton, Warminster, took place at Salisbury, after Britford fair, on Tuesday last. The auctioneers were Messrs. Waters, Son and Rawlence. The attendance was large, and comprised a large number of the principal flock masters in the district.
After a few words from the auctioneer, the biddings went on briskly. The ram lambs let at an average of £22 15s. Mr T. Moore taking No.2, at 28gs.; and Mr E. Dibden, No.3, at 33gs. Seventy-two lambs were next offered for sale, 69 of which were absolutely sold at prices ranging from 5gs. To 11gs.; Mr G. Read buying No.15, at 11gs. Mr C. Waters, No.7, at 10 and a half gs.; Mr Samson, Mr Miles, Mr Hayter, Mr Shrimpton, Mr Sutton, Mr W. Taunton, Mr Wyndham, and others buying a number at 7 and a half, 8, 8 and a half, 9 and 9 and a half gs. Each; the total average of the 73 lambs let and sold being about 8 or 8 and a half gs. A two teeth ram was let at 7 and a half gs.; and another sold at 6gs.â€