William Colvin
Name William Colvin
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 ½”, 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
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