COLLESS, Frederick Joscelyn
| Service Numbers: | 2836, 1194 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 31 July 1915, Blackboy Hill, Western Australia |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 32nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bourke, New South Wales, 24 May 1879 |
| Home Town: | Kalgoorlie, Kalgoorlie/Boulder, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Traveller/Tram employee |
| Died: | Died of wounds (POW of Germany), France, 23 July 1916, aged 37 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lille Southern Cemetery Plot III, Row A, Grave No. 35 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Fremantle 849 Memorial |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Bombardier, 2836, A Battery, Royal Australian Artillery | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 1899: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Bombardier, 2836, A Battery, Royal Australian Artillery, s.s. Warrigal, Sydney | |
| 15 Sep 1901: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Bombardier, 2836, A Battery, Royal Australian Artillery, Returned to Australia 3 September 1901 |
World War 1 Service
| 31 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1194, Blackboy Hill, Western Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Nov 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Corporal, 1194, 32nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Geelong embarkation_ship_number: A2 public_note: '' | |
| 26 May 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 32nd Infantry Battalion | |
| 19 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Corporal, 1194, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix) | |
| 20 Jul 1916: | Imprisoned Fromelles (Fleurbaix) | |
| 23 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1194, 32nd Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 1194 awm_unit: 32nd Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Sergeant awm_died_date: 1916-07-23 |
Help us honour Frederick Joscelyn Colless's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Paul Trevor
The two enlisted children of 1194 Sgt. Frederick Joscelyn Colless (died of wounds as POW 23 July 1916) and Anna Jenetta Colless of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia:-
WX1952 Pte. Oswald Withno Colless MM (/explore/people/798833) - returned to Australia;
WX32621 Major John Frederick Joseph Colless (/explore/people/798838) - served in Australia.
'LOCAL AND GENERAL
FOR THE FRONT.— Among those going with the Royal Australian Artillery, lately "A" Battery, that makes a start for the front to-day, is Bombadier J Colless, son of Mr Joseph Colless, late of Bourke and Penrith, now of Kalgoorlle. Jos paid a visit to Penrith on Sunday last, and seemed quite pleased at the idea of going to the front. On leaving Penrith an uncle said to him, " Good luck, Jos, I hope you'll come back with a Viotoria Cross." "I hope so," said Jos, "it won't be my fault if I don't." Of our men who left here last week the following passed the doctor, shooting, and riding test: Sergt. Henry Gates, Privates A McAlpine, A Mason. Privates H Agland, T Ransley, C Paterson, and J Perritt have passed the doctor and shooting, and were to be tried over the hurdles on 16 Friday. The following men have failed in the shooting test :—W. Kelly and H McGarrity. from The Nepean Times 30 Dec 1899 (nla.gov.au)
'REPORTED MISSING.
Word has been received that Sergeant Jos Colless, son of the late Mr
E Colless, and nephew of Messrs A and H Colless, and Mrs T R Smith,
of Penrith, is missing on the Western Front. Sergeant Colless, who is a married man, with two children, enlisted from West Australia, but before proceeding to the front paid a visit to his relatives at Penrith and elsewhere in N.S.W. He was a fine specimen of Australian manhood and well liked by all. He took part in the Boer War, and was a keen and enthusiastic soldier. It is the fervent hope of all that tidings of his safety will soon come to hand.' from Nepean Times 23 Sep 1916 (/explore/projects/9285/Nepean%20Times%20(Penrith,%20NSW%20:%201882%20-%201962))
'DIED OF WOUNDS.
SERGEANT F. J. COLLESS.
Sergeant F. J. Colless, who was wounded in France in July last, and taken prisoner, died in Germany on July 23. He was 37 years of age, and was born at Bourke. In his younger days he was a resident of Penrith. He took part in the Boer war, being then a member of the Permanent Artillery. He leave a widow and three children.' from The Sydney Morning Herald 21 Nov 1916 (nla.gov.au)
'IN MEMORIAM.
COLLESS.- In loving memory of our dear son and brother in-law Sergeant F. J. Colless, died of wounds whilst a prisoner of war in Germany. Gone, but not forgotten.
Inserted by J and A.K . and J. Ons, Basndee.
COLLESS.-In loving memory of Sergeant Fred. J Colless, 32nd Battlion who died while a prisoner of war in Germany July 3, 1916. Inserted by his affectionate brother, Ted., and sister-in-law.' from The West Australian 23 Jul 1917 (nla.gov.au)
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