Norbury Family History
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William CollisAge: 201896–1916

Name
William Collis
Given names
William
Surname
Collis
  • Facts and events
  • Families
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  • Notes
  • Album
Birth 5 June 1896
 

Note: In parish records, mother's name s shown as "Matilda Jane"
Christening 15 October 1897 (Age 16 months)
 Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

Address:
St John's Church of England, Alexandra
Birth of a brother 9 February 1899 (Age 2)
 Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

younger brother - Dan Collis
Birth of a sister 5 July 1904 (Age 8)
 Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

younger sister - May Elene Collis
Death of a maternal grandfather 19 October 1904 (Age 8)
 Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

maternal grandfather - Joshua Norbury
Death of a maternal grandfather 19 October 1904 (Age 8)
 Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

maternal grandfather - Joshua Norbury
Birth of a brother 26 September 1906 (Age 10)
 Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

younger brother - Ronald Collis
Military
23rd Battalion, AIF
June 1915 (Age 18)
 

Agency: Australian Army
Note:  William Collis enlisted in the AIF on 12 June 1915. Because he was under age, he required his paren…
William Collis enlisted in the AIF on 12 June 1915. Because he was under age, he required his parents' consent which was given. He was killed in the Battle of Pozieres on 4 August 1916. His name appears on the Villiers-Bretonne memorial, but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has no record of a burial site.
William Collis parential consent to underage enlistment
William Collis parential consent to underage enlistment

Death 4 August 1916 (Age 20)
 Pozieres, Somme, France

Note: 
Alexandra and Yea Standard Friday September 16 1916
Editorial The news of the death of Private W Collis 23rd Bat AIF and son of Mr and Mrs D Collis was received on Thursday of last week with feelings of deep regret by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. It is almost certain that he and H Payne fell in the same engagement on Aug 4. Private Collis some time ago was accidentally struck in the back by a comrade who was using a pick in the dark. He was in hospital for several weeks in consequence. The same day as the news of his death was received a letter reached his parents in which he stated he had just left a convalescent home and was preparing to join his company to once more face the Huns. He wrote in a cheerful strain and appeared to be pleased that he was soon to rejoin his comrades in settling the little business they had volunteered to carry out. He spoke of the prospect of seeing several Alexandra lads an a few days having been in communication with Privates Mansfield, Peach and others. He had been in some hot corners but each time the Boche turned and cleared out. He received a shot in the wrist but the wound had healed. Private Collis put in 10 weeks on Gallipoli and was a close companion of Norman Hanning both occupying the same dugout and suffered the same privations. He was one of the last to leave the peninsular. Much sympathy has been expressed for the bereaved parents both of whom are natives of the town and highly respected. On Tuesday evening the members of the band met for practice but adjourned out of respect to their comrades.
Note: 
Death Notice in Alexandra and Yea Standard
Fri Sept 15 1916 Death On Active Service Collis-Killed in action in France on 4 August 1916 Private William Collis No 1897 D Company 23rd Bat 6 Brigade aged 20 on June 6 third son of David and Lavinia Collis of UT Creek. “He rose responsive to his country’s call And gave for her his best, his life, his all.”
William Collis death notice
William Collis death notice


War memorial Alexandra, Victoria
War memorial Alexandra, Victoria


Names on Alexandra war memorial, William Collis about half way down left hand column
Names on Alexandra war memorial, William Collis about half way down left hand column


Plaque on Alexandra war memorial
Plaque on Alexandra war memorial

Last change 29 April 2015 - 01:39:18
 

by: Michael Norbury
Family with parents - View family
father
David James Collis

Birth 29 December 1867 32 19  

Death 12 September 1933 (Age 65)  Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

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-21 months
mother
Lavinia Jane "Patty" Norbury

Birth 21 March 1866 42 26  Flour Bag Hill, Victoria, Australia

Death 21 May 1935 (Age 69)  Alexandra, Shire of Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

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Religious marriage: 24 December 1889 — Alexandra, Victoria, Australia
13 months
#1 elder brother
Ernest James Collis

Birth 18 January 1891 23 24  Alexandra, Shire of Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

Death 18 July 1958 (Age 67)  Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

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4 years
#2 elder brother
David Collis

Birth 16 July 1894 26 28  Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

Death 1 October 1972 (Age 78)  Geelong, Victoria, Australia

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23 months
#3 himself
William Collis

Birth 5 June 1896  

Death 4 August 1916 (Age 20)  Pozieres, Somme, France

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3 years
#4 younger brother
Dan Collis

Birth 9 February 1899 31 32  Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

Death 4 September 1958 (Age 59)  Mooroopna, Victoria, Australia

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5 years
#5 younger sister
May Elene Collis

Birth 5 July 1904 36 38  Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

Death 1978 (Age 73)  

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2 years
#6 younger brother
Ronald Collis

Birth 26 September 1906 38 40  Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

Death 1 January 1987 (Age 80)  Eildon, Victoria, Australia

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Family with parents - View family
father
David James Collis

Birth 29 December 1867 32 19  

Death 12 September 1933 (Age 65)  Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

Loading...
-21 months
mother
Lavinia Jane "Patty" Norbury

Birth 21 March 1866 42 26  Flour Bag Hill, Victoria, Australia

Death 21 May 1935 (Age 69)  Alexandra, Shire of Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

Loading...
 
Religious marriage: 24 December 1889 — Alexandra, Victoria, Australia
13 months
#1 elder brother
Ernest James Collis

Birth 18 January 1891 23 24  Alexandra, Shire of Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

Death 18 July 1958 (Age 67)  Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

Loading...
4 years
#2 elder brother
David Collis

Birth 16 July 1894 26 28  Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

Death 1 October 1972 (Age 78)  Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Loading...
23 months
#3 himself
William Collis

Birth 5 June 1896  

Death 4 August 1916 (Age 20)  Pozieres, Somme, France

Loading...
3 years
#4 younger brother
Dan Collis

Birth 9 February 1899 31 32  Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

Death 4 September 1958 (Age 59)  Mooroopna, Victoria, Australia

Loading...
5 years
#5 younger sister
May Elene Collis

Birth 5 July 1904 36 38  Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

Death 1978 (Age 73)  

Loading...
2 years
#6 younger brother
Ronald Collis

Birth 26 September 1906 38 40  Alexandra, Victoria, Australia

Death 1 January 1987 (Age 80)  Eildon, Victoria, Australia

Loading...

 
Birth
In parish records, mother's name s shown as "Matilda Jane"

Military
William Collis enlisted in the AIF on 12 June 1915. Because he was under age, he required his parents' consent which was given. He was killed in the Battle of Pozieres on 4 August 1916. His name appears on the Villiers-Bretonne memorial, but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has no record of a burial site.

Death
Alexandra and Yea Standard Friday September 16 1916 Editorial The news of the death of Private W Collis 23rd Bat AIF and son of Mr and Mrs D Collis was received on Thursday of last week with feelings of deep regret by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. It is almost certain that he and H Payne fell in the same engagement on Aug 4. Private Collis some time ago was accidentally struck in the back by a comrade who was using a pick in the dark. He was in hospital for several weeks in consequence. The same day as the news of his death was received a letter reached his parents in which he stated he had just left a convalescent home and was preparing to join his company to once more face the Huns. He wrote in a cheerful strain and appeared to be pleased that he was soon to rejoin his comrades in settling the little business they had volunteered to carry out. He spoke of the prospect of seeing several Alexandra lads an a few days having been in communication with Privates Mansfield, Peach and others. He had been in some hot corners but each time the Boche turned and cleared out. He received a shot in the wrist but the wound had healed. Private Collis put in 10 weeks on Gallipoli and was a close companion of Norman Hanning both occupying the same dugout and suffered the same privations. He was one of the last to leave the peninsular. Much sympathy has been expressed for the bereaved parents both of whom are natives of the town and highly respected. On Tuesday evening the members of the band met for practice but adjourned out of respect to their comrades.

Death
Death Notice in Alexandra and Yea Standard Fri Sept 15 1916 Death On Active Service Collis-Killed in action in France on 4 August 1916 Private William Collis No 1897 D Company 23rd Bat 6 Brigade aged 20 on June 6 third son of David and Lavinia Collis of UT Creek. “He rose responsive to his country’s call And gave for her his best, his life, his all.”


Photos
William Collis death notice
William Collis death notice
View Details
William Collis parential consent to underage enlistment
William Collis parential consent to underage enlistment
View Details
War memorial Alexandra, Victoria
War memorial Alexandra, Victoria
View Details
Names on Alexandra war memorial, William Collis about half way down left hand column
Names on Alexandra war memorial, William Collis about half way down left hand column
View Details
Plaque on Alexandra war memorial
Plaque on Alexandra war memorial
View Details
 
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