Rear row L to R: J Connolly, G.W. Gane, W.E. Webb, W Kenning, C Watson
2nd from rear L to R: E Thompson, N.R. Nicholl, F.H. Hodgson, W.W. Paterson, J Miller, G Lamerton, J Horrocks
Sitting L to R: M Wood, A Box, A.A. Wilson (MLA), A Wilson, L Blakemore Kneeling L and R: S McDermott W Youd (see attached detail)
The 18 ‘Collie boys’ shown in the above group photo enlisted in 1914 and embarked with the original 11th Battalion, AIF. Sadly six of those Boys (1 in 3), never returned to their home in the Jarrah forests surrounding Collie. They were;
- 555, Private, J. HORROCKS, Died of Wounds received, 20 May 1915, Gallipoli Peninsula.
- 540, Sergeant, G.W. GANE, Killed in Action, 26 February 1917, Somme, France.
- 449, Private, W. KENNING, Died of illness, 06 April 1916, Egypt.
- 604, Private, E. THOMPSON, Killed in Action, 10 October 1916, Ypres, Belgium.
- 456, Private, J. MILLER, Killed in Action, 14 August 1916, Pozieres, France.
- 565, Lieutenant, G.A. LAMERTON , Killed in Action, 10 August 1918, Harbonnieres, France.
LEST WE FORGET.
Awards/Decorations – Three of the Collie Boys shown in the group photo received bravery awards, they were;
565, Lieutenant, George Arthur LAMERTON,( MC)
608, Sergeant, Walter Edgar WEBB, (MM and Bar)
2395, Private, James Patrick CONNOLLY,( MID)
Note:
7724, A.A. WILSON (MLA) Extra Regimental Sergeant, took special leave from Parliament and enlisted in the AIF, March 1917, at age 48 yrs.
WILSON served in France with the 11th Field Coy Engineers. (A. Wilson next to him in photo, is his son, 848, Private Alan Wilson).
The Author acknowledges the assistance of Grahame Old from the COLLIE CARDIFF RSL Sub Branch, for the additional Information on the ‘Collie Boys’ of WW1.
