Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: Eustace James Colliver
Service Number: Captain
Place of Birth: Norwood
Parents: William Colliver and Emily Colliver (neeChampion)
Date of Birth: 9 July 1892
Place of Enlistment: Keswick
Date of Enlistment: 15 June 1915
Age at Enlistment: 22 years 11 months
Marital Status: Single
Next of Kin: Mother,Emily Colliver
Occupation: Clerk
Religion: Church of England
Rank: Captain, 43rd Battalion
Memorials: Kersbrook Roll of Honor
CCEustace did basic training with A Coy at Mitcham and joined the 1st Depot Battalion 10/27 as an Infantry Sergeant on 16 December. He was sent to Officers’ School on 16 January 1916, receiving his commission on 3 March. With his unit, the 43rd Battalion, he embarked A19 Afric at Outer Harbor on 9 June. Eustace disembarked at Marsailles, France on 20 July. He was admitted to Fargo Military Hospital in England on 1 November, where he was treated for bronchitis, with his mother being notified of his condition by Army Base records, Melbourne on 11 November.
Base Records were extremely efficient in the duty of notifying next of kin of the welfare of the thousands of soldiers that were hospitalised throughout all the campaigns of the war.
Eustace rejoined his unit on 15 November and accompanied them overseas to France from Southampton on 25 November. In December he was despatched to the School of Instruction, rejoining them at Armentieres on 27 January 1917. Eustace was treated for debility on 4 August and upon recovering was sent serve at La Motte until June 1918. Eustace was appointed Captain on 1 January 1919 and awarded the Military Cross.His citation stated, “For conspicuous and good service. During the operations on the Somme from Hamel to Roisel from 8th August to 11th September,1918, Captain Colliver carried out his duties as Adjutant in a highly efficient manner. By his untiring energy and devotion to duty under very trying circumstances he greatly assisted in the success achieved by his Battalion.”

The Advertiser of 11 January 1919 announced that Capt.E.J.Colliver had been awarded the Military Cross. Upon returning from leave in England in March 1919, he was sent from France to Southampton, where on 12 June, he embarked S.S.Themistocles, disembarking in Melbourne on 8 August. Eustace was discharged the next day.
Eustace, in addition to the Military Cross, was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British Medal and the Victory Medal.
Eustace and his wife Emily had a daughter born at Sister Saint’s Home, Young Street, Parkside.2.
In 1936, Eustace was Secretary of the Retail Shopkeepers’ Association of South Australia.1.
Source: www.NAA;B2455;Colliver.E.J. Barcode 3272392.

www.awm.gov.au/collections.
www.VWMA/ Colliver.E.J.
Footnotes: 1 & 2.www.trove.nla.gov/di

Captain Eustace James Colliver. Military Cross

During operations on the SOMME from March to September this officer acted as Adjutant and by his untiring zeal and devotion to duty he greatly assisted in the success of the Unit on many occasions.

For conspicuous and consistent good service. During the operations on the SOMME from HAMEL to ROISEL from 8th August to 11th September, 1918, Captain COLLIVER carried out his duties as Adjutant in a highly efficient manner. By his untiring energy and devotion to duty under very trying circumstances he greatly assisted in the success achieved by his Battalion.