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Sgt. Harold John Colley VC MM
British Army 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers
from:Smethwick, Staffs.
(d.25th August 1918)
Harold Colley died of wounds on 25th August 1918 aged 23 and is buried in the Mailly Wood Cemetery in France. He was the son of John and Hannah Elizabeth Colley, of 74 Cheshire Rd., Smethwick, Staffs.
An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30967, dated the 18th Oct., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and initiative when in command of a platoon in support of forward platoons which had been ordered to hold on at all costs. When the enemy counter-attacked in force, he rushed forward on his own initiative to help the forward line, rallying and controlling the men holding it. The enemy by this time were advancing quicky, and had already obtained a footing in the trench. Serjt. Colley then formed a defensive flank and held it. Out of the two platoons only three men remained unwounded, and he himself was dangerously wounded. It was entirely due to Serjt. Colley's action that the enemy were prevented from breaking through, and were eventually driven off. His courage and tenacity saved a very critical situation."
