Number Lieutenant 860

Battalion 8th Battalion

Place of Birth Rutherglen

Next of Kin His father, James Colvin of
"Narrong" Rutherglen

Date and place of enlistment 18/8/1914
at Broadmeadows

Physical details on enlistment Age 21 years 3 months, 5'8 ¼",
173 pounds, light blue eyes, fair hair.

Religion Presbyterian

Occupation School teacher, woodwork

Date and place of death

He was killed in action 25/7/1916 at Pozieres

Location of grave or memorial

He was buried 500 yards north of Pozieres and later moved to Villers Bretonneux

Relationship to Woorayl Shire

He taught at Leongatha High School for some time in 1914 before going to Warragul High School. He left there to join the army.

Military History

18/8/14 He enlisted in Rutherglen
25/8/14 He was a Private in H company 8th Battalion
17/9/14 He became a Corporal
19/10/14 He embarked Melbourne on the HMAT Benella
3/4/15 He embarked Alexandria to join Mediterranean Expeditionary Force
29/12/15 He was ill in hospital on Lemnos with flu
13/1/16 He rejoined his battalion at Tel-el-Kebir
10/2/16 He became a Sergeant
20/2/16 He became a 2nd Lieutenant
26/3/16 He embarked Alexandria
31/3/16 He disembarked Marseilles
25/7/16 He was killed in action
Letter to father

He was wounded before the objective but carried on to the objective and died almost immediately. He was 500 yards north of Pozieres and buried in the presence of a chaplain. Later in Villers Bretonneux
He left his estate to his father in his army will page 11 of his file
His effects were: � 1 electric torch, letters and papers, 1 pair puttees, 1 hold all, 3 shirts, socks, gloves, a pair of shorts, pair slacks, 1 drill tunic, safety razor and case, muffler, note book, films, 1 silver watch, 1 silver match box, 1 penny, 1 knife � 16/6/17 James Colvin received the effects.
8/3/23 His father received Bill�s medals
8/9/33 His father received his British War Medal