NUMBER:
Lieutenant 860

BATTALION / UNIT / SHIP:
8th Battalion

PLACE OF BIRTH:
Rutherglen

NEXT OF KIN:
His father, James Colvin of "Narrong," Rutherglen

PLACE OF ENLISTMENT:
18/8/1914 at Broadmeadows, Victoria

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

PLACE & DATE OF DEATH:
He was killed in action 25/7/1916 at Pozieres

LOCATION OF GRAVE/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 before going to Warragul High School. He left there to join the army

MILITARY/OTHER HISTORY:
◈ 18/8/1914 He enlisted in Rutherglen
◈ 25/8/1914 He was a Private in H Company, 8th Battalion
◈ 17/9/1914 He became a Corporal
◈ 19/10/1914 He embarked Melbourne on the HMAT Benella
◈ 3/4/1915 He embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force
◈ 29/12/1915 He was ill in hospital on Lemnos with flu
◈ 13/1/1916 He rejoined his battalion at Tel-el-Kebir
◈ 10/2/1916 He became a Sergeant
◈ 20/2/1916 He became a 2nd Lieutenant
◈ 26/3/1916 He embarked Alexandria
◈ 31/3/1916 He disembarked Marseilles
◈ 25/7/1916 He was killed in action
◈ He was wounded before the objective but carried on and died almost immediately. He was 500 yards north of Pozieres and buried in the presence of a chaplain. Later moved to 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 holdall, 3 shirts, socks, gloves, a pair of shorts, pair slacks, 1 drill tunic, safety razor and case, muffler, notebook, films, 1 silver watch, 1 silver match box, 1 penny, 1 knife. On 16/6/1917 James Colvin received the effects
◈ 8/3/1923 His father received Bill’s medals
◈ 8/9/1933 His father received his British War Medal