Regimental number | 2808 |
Date of birth | |
Place of birth | Penrith, New South Wales |
School | Superior Public School, Penrith, New South Wales |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Woolclasser |
Address | North Street, Penrith, New South Wales |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 23 |
Next of kin | Mother, Mrs E J Colless, North Street, Penrith, New South Wales |
Previous military service | Nil |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 3rd Battalion, 9th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/20/2 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A8 Argyllshire on |
Regimental number from Nominal Roll | Commissioned |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 55th Battalion |
Promotions |
2nd Lieutenant Unit: INF55 Promotion date: |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Distinguished Conduct Medal Recommendation date: Military Cross Recommendation date: |
Fate | Killed in Action |
Place of death or wounding | Peronne, France |
Age at death | 25 |
Age at death from cemetery records | 25 |
Place of burial | Hebecourt British Cemetery (Row C, Grave No. 1), France |
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 160 |
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Henry and Elizabeth Jane COLLESS, North St, Penrith, New South Wales |
Medals |
Military Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in a raid on the enemy's trenches. Strong opposition was encountered and as he led the final rush his party came under heavy machine gun fire. He attacked the gun with his party, and captured it, taking two of the gun team prisoners and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy garrison. His men were attacked from the flank as they withdrew, but with seven men he covered the withdrawal of the remainder, causing further losses to the enemy. Owing to his splendid leadership and coolness the raiding party returned, having suffered only two casualties.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 165 Date: |
Family/military connections | Cousins (1st): 1194 Sergeant Frederic Joscelyn COLLESS, 32nd Bn, died while a prisoner of war, 23 July 1916; 1179 Pte John William COLLESS, 3rd Bn, killed in action, 4 October 1917; 18744 Gunner Frank Lancelot SEALE, 7th Field Artillery Brigade, killed in action, 11 September 1917. |
Other details | Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |