COLLEY Vincent

Appears in the Worcester/Worcestershire Roll of Honour Book for army casualties located in Worcester Cathedral.

Vincent Colley was the 2nd child and eldest son of the 4 children of Jesse and Olive Colley. He had an elder sister, Ethel, a younger brother, Jesse and a younger sister, Phyllis. He sailed from Liverpool, England on the SS Southwark on 4th May 1911 bound for Montreal, Quebec, Canada, his final destination in the country stated as Manitoba where he was to take up employment in farming.

Vincent Colley enlisted in the Canadian overseas Expeditionary Force on 12th December 1914 at Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. On his attestation form he gave his date of birth as 18th January 1893 in Wickhamford, England, profession as a fireman and his next of kin as his father Jesse Colley, of Wickhamford, Evesham, England. Vincent was 5 feet 7 inches tall with blue eyes, dark brown hair and a dark complexion.

Vincent sailed from Halifax, Canada to England on the S.S. Yaderland on 23rd February 1915. He was sent to France in May 1915 and transferred to the 2nd Battalion Canadian Infantry whilst there on 16th May 1915. He was granted leave of absence in April 1916, returning to his unit on 16th April 1916. Vincent was killed in action in France on 12th June 1916.

National Archives of Canada Reference: RG150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 1868 – 30

The following information is available from:
http://www.badseysociety.uk/world-war-one/war-memorials-wickhamford

Vincent Colley was born 18th January 1894, the son of Jesse Colley. He attended Badsey Council School from 9th February 1903 until 21st December 1906. The August 1916 edition of the parish magazine reported that Private Vincent Colley, having emigrated to Canada five years previously, was killed in action on 12th June whilst serving with the 1st Canadians. A memorial service was held at Wickhamford on 7th July.

Vincent Colley has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.