The Collie War Memorial was erected in the memory of those who served and those who died in all the wars. During this centenary year it is fitting to highlight that section that says; ’This monument was erected by the residents of Collie and district in memory of those who fell and in honour of those who served in the Great War 1914-1919. Killed in Action. It lists seven of the locals who died during the First World War. You may choose to remember a little of their story when you stand before the memorial on ANZAC Day or Remembrance Day.
Private Walter Henry Giddins, Service Number 1638, was a 42 year old labourer of Collie when he enlisted on 31st December 1915 and embarked on the ‘Ceramic’ on the 14th April 1916. He was in the 45th Battalion when he was taken prisoner by the Germans and died of nephritis and pneumonia on the 17th August 1917. He is buried in Tournai Communal Cemetery Belgium.
Private Hercules Harrison 6063, was born Coonamble and was a 19 year old labourer of Collie when he enlisted on the 11th August 1916. He embarked on the ‘Argyllshire’ on the 31st October 1916. He was killed in action on the 23rd July 1918 and is buried at Villers-Bretonneux. Margo Piggott and Rees Howard visited his grave in 2010.
Private Joseph Thomas Miller 2203 was a single, 27 year old labourer of Collie when he enlisted on 6 March 1916. He died of wounds while serving with the 19th Battalion at Lagnicourt, France on 16 April 1917. he is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, France
Four Murray brothers served overseas, but only two returned;. Richard Theodore Collie Murray and Sidney James Murray returned.
Stanley Delphus Dalley Murray 11366 was a 27 year old grazier of Collie when he enlisted on the 20th of October 1915. He embarked on the ‘Osterly’ on the 15th January 1916 and was with the Australian Trench Mortar Battery when he died of wounds on the 31st of May 1918. He is buried in the Ebblingham Military Cemetery, France.
Private Horace Edward Murray 6772 was a 26 year old labourer of Collie when he enlisted on the 22nd of June 1916 and embarked on the ‘Port Nicholson’ on the 8th November 1916. He was killed in action on the 4th November 1917. He has no known grave and his name is on the memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.
Lance Corporal George William O’Connor 1645 was a 33 year old farmer and grazier of Collie when he enlisted on the 9th of February 1916. He embarked on the ‘Ceramic’ on the 14th April 1916 and was killed in action on the 7th June 1917. He has no known grave and his name is engraved on the Menin Gate at Ypres Belgium.
George’s brothers, Michael and Patrick had enlisted in Tooraweenah with the Kookaburra’s recruitment march and George enlisted soon after the march arrived in Bathurst. The brothers trained and embarked together on the ‘Ceramic’ and served together in the 45th Battalion, the same battalion that most of the Coo-ees also served in. Michael returned to Australia 8th April 1917, Patrick returned 24th August 1918 and a fourth brother, Edmund Joseph O’Connor enlisted 3rd August 1917 and returned to Australia September 1919. Michael kept a diary and the story of George will be told in the near future.
Private William John Smith 132 was a 20 year old farmer of Collie when he enlisted on the 2nd October 1914. He embarked on the ‘Ayrshire’ on the 20th December 1914. He was killed in action on the 30th August 1915 and is buried at Shell Green Cemetery on Gallipoli.
The servicemen named on the war memorial ‘who served their King and Country’ enlisted and marched with the Tooraweenah Kookaburras are Walter J Baker 3072, John Thomas McNabb 1644, Arthur Maeford Mills 1712 (known as Gundy and Michael Emmanuel John Wartley 2297. However, W McNamara is unidentified.