|
Military History |
| Theatre of War in Which Died | Campaign Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| Gallipoli | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery |
| First Arrived in Theatre | Bravery & Conduct Medals | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 25 Apr 1915 in Gallipoli | ~ | Leamington Spa War Memorial |
| Leamington College for Boys | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | Leamington Congregational Church |
| Second Battle of Krithia | 21 Dec 1914 in Auckland, NZ | |
| Other War Memorials | ||
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| Cape Helles | ~ | |
Circumstances of Death
|
Edward is listed as being killed in action on 8th May 1915 during the Second Battle of Krithia. The Auckland Battalion war diary entries for the period 7th to 9th May are trancribed below. Cape Helles – 7 May 1915 – 1pm: Moved from reserve to occupy position on left flank in 2nd line in front of Krithia 7pm: Entrenched in reserve trenches 8.30pm: Orders to move to 2nd line of trenches Cape Helles - 8 May 1915 – 8am: Orders that the Battalion would move forward to the front line of trenches at 10.30am. Wellington Battalion on left, Canterbury on right, Otago in reserve. The 3rd Coy and 6th Coy moved forward followed by 15th Coy and 16th Coy under heavy fire. The Battalion advanced within 800 yards of enemy’s trenches being engaged. 5pm: Meanwhile orders received that there would be a general advance at 5.30pm. Bayonets were fixed and punctually at 5.30pm the Battalion was ordered to charge. Lt Col Plugge leading the Battalion which was exposed to heavy machine gun and rifle fire and casualties were consequently heavy. Casualties among officers: Killed 2/Lt’s Steadman, Screaton, Carpenter, Morgan and Reid. Wounded Lt Col Plugge (2nd time), Major Harrowell, Major Dawson, Capt Craig, Capt Bartlett, Lt’s West, MacFarlane, Weir & Fletcher. Other Ranks: Killed 24, Wounded 177, Missing 20. The Battalion was unable to hold the ground gained and had to retire to the trenches. Strength 5 Officers and 264 other ranks. Cape Helles 9 May 1915: The Battalion was ordered back to the 2nd line to reorganise. Reinforcements posted to Battalion. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 8 Jan 1892 at Leamington Spa | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Robert James and Emily Florence Colbourne | 7 Clarendon Crescent, Leamington Spa |
| Schools | Schools |
| Stanley House School, Margate | Solihill Grammar School | Leamington College for Boys |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1892 - 47 Grove Street, Leamington Spa | 1901 - Scholar |
| 1901 - Llanberis, Northdown Road, Margate | 1911 - Assistant on Farm |
| 1911 - (Apr) Castle Farm, Chacombe, Banbury | |
| 1911 - (Dec) New Zealand | |
| 1914 - Walton, New Zealand | |
Brother of Robert Henry Colbournem who also fell

