Military History

Embarked Fremantle per ‘Miltiades’ 7.8.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 19th Reinforcement 11th Battalion.
Colley disembarked at Plymouth with the 19th Reinforcement of the 11th Battalion 24.9.1916. He marched into the 3rd Training Battalion at Perham Downs 28.9.1916. After a period of intensive training Colley proceeded overseas to France from Folkstone per SS ‘Golden Eagle’ 17.12.1916. He joined his Battalion in Field from the Reinforcement 17.1.1917. Colley was hospitalised for some dental work 26.1.1917. He embarked overseas for France and rejoined his Battalion in France 11.2.1917. The 11th Battalion had fought in the trenches in the winter of 1916-17 and advanced towards the Hindenburg Line as the German Army retreated, in early 1917. Colley was wounded in action at the Battle of Lagnicourt with Shrapnel wound to his back and right arm 16.4.1917. He was transferred to England by Hospital Ship ‘West Australia’ and had his right arm amputated at Millgrove Hospital 5.6.1917 (West Australian Newspaper 28.4.1917). Colley was discharged from hospital to Weymouth 18.6.1917. He was deemed unfit for active service and listed for early return to Australia as an invalid.
Embarked England per HMAT ’Beltana’ A72 for return to Australia 18.10.1917.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 6.12.1917.
Discharged 21.12.1917.
Final Rank Private, 11th Battalion.
Medical Condition Invalided, amputee.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Rueben Harold Colley was one of 9 children. He had an elder brother Leon who also served in New Guinea, but developed malaria and returned early unfit for general service. His brother Arthur also served in WW1. Colley wrote a detailed letter in the Daily News( 5.6.1917 p1) about the railways in England and Europe. Colley worked  with the WAGR Staff at the Guildford Railway Station, prior to his military service. He marrried Martha Elizabeth( nee Bandy) and had one son, Albert(MLS News letter 3.10.2014) West Australian 14.8.1943 Family Notices p1)r
Photos Harold Rueben Colley.  Photograph donor Colley family, photograph source MLS 3.10.2014
             Colley family L-R  R3 Arthur, Vivien, Albert, Rueben Harold. R2 Violet, Edward, Elizabeth, Leon, Laura. R1, Lillian, Nellie. Donor Colley family, photograph reproduced with  permission of MLS 3.10.2014
             HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photograper unknown, photograph source AWM P08559.00
             Ruins of Lagnicourt Church 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E04580
            

Information Source
AWM P08559.00. HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photograper unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E04580. Ruins of Lagnicourt Church 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- Harold Rushen Woolf Colley.
MLS Newsletter 3.10.2014. Colley family. Photograph donor, photograph reproduced with  permission of Mt. Lawley Society
MLS Newsletter 3.10.2014. Rueben Harold Colley. Photograph donour Colley family, reproduced with permission of the Mt. Lawley Society
NAA: B2455, Colley H R W
West Australian Newspaper
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories

Joel Terrace Mt Lawley, WA (Residence)
Guildford Railway Station, James St., Guildford, WA (Place of employment)

Associated Images