CONRAN, Collin Stewart
| Service Number: | 3811 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 September 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 18th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Tabrabucca, New South Wales, Australia, 25 December 1897 |
| Home Town: | Mudgee, Mid-Western Regional, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Munition worker |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 4 August 1916, aged 18 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Gulgong and Mudgee District Roll of Honor, Lithgow Small Arms Factory Roll of Honour, Mudgee Anglican Parish of Mudgee Great War Honour Roll, Mudgee District Fallen Soldiers Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3811, 18th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Jan 1916: | Involvement Private, 3811, 18th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Jan 1916: | Embarked Private, 3811, 18th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Runic, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Colin and his brother Herbert Conran from Mudgee NSW both enlisted together on the 13 September 1915. They both, before enlistment, worked at the Small Arms Factory at Lithgow. Colin was only 17 years and 10 months old at the time, Herb was one year older. They went into camp together, and sailed together from Australia. On reaching Egypt Colin was taken ill, and had to remain in hospital in Egypt for some weeks, for which time they were separated. They never met again. Colin, on being able to resume duty, went direct to his unit, expecting to see his brother, but he was sadly disappointed to learn that "Herb" had been transferred from the 18th to the 20th Battalion. Colin was only with his unit for 3 days before he went missing in action at Pozieres. From the Red Cross files and soldiers’ letters home (one to the boys’ father) it was reported that one of them was taking part in a raid or attack when a bullet struck a bomb or grenade he was carrying in his pocket, which exploded, killing him instantly. Though it most confusing to try and establish which brother it was as both have different dates of going missing and death dates, it appears more likely the letter refers to Herb Conran.
Colin’s death was not confirmed for nearly 12 months, until a Court of Enquiry confirmed he was killed in action 4 August 1916.
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