235923 Gnr. William Thomas Colloby British Army 16th Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery from:51 Shelton St, Wilnecote, Tamworth William Thomas Colloby was a coal miner by trade. His 'burnt' records show that he signed for General Service on 12th December 1915, a month after the birth of his first child, and was assigned to the reserves, as a Private, on 13th December 1915. He was posted, as a gunner, to the RGA on 16th March 1917; posted to the BEF on 8th May 1917 and to the 16th Heavy Bty on 24th May 1917. He was wounded in action on 4th September 1917 with a gun shot wound to the right foot and was sent to the General Hospital in Boulogne on 7th September 1917, casualty list HA 13901. Next of kin were informed on 18th September 1917. He was discharged, back to base depot, on 8th December 1917 and then reposted on 14th December 1917. He was recorded as having leave to the UK, from 7th to 21st February 1918. His records were processed by the RGA on 30December 1918; he proceeded to Chisledon discharge centre on 1st January 1918. His papers show that he was transferred to Class 'Z' Army Reserves on demobilisation on 31st January 1919 for release as a miner. He returned home, to Wilnecote, to his wife Alice and his daughter Brenda (my gran). On 29th November 1921 William signed to acknowledge receipt of the British War and Victory Medals.
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