1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 57700 Leslie Victor Colley
- Age: 20
- From: Bilston, Staffs
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
- D.O.W Thursday 12th April 1917
- Commemorated at: Warlincourt Halte Brit Cem
Panel Ref: VIII.B.7
He was born Thomas Leslie Victor in the second quarter of 1897 the son of Joseph Colley and his wife Sarah Ann Thompson (née Greenfield) who were married in 1881 in Selby, Yorkshire. His father was from Ferry Hill, Durham whist his mother was born in Goole, and was first married in 1873 to Francis Thompson.
His birth was registered in the names Thomas Leslie Victor but all of his Military records only show Leslie Victor. He was one of seven children, two died in infancy. His surviving siblings were Joseph, Ernest, Norman and Florence.
The Census of 1901 shows the family living at "Hillingden", Dover Street, Bilston, Staffordshire. His father, Joseph, is aged 47 years and is a mechanical engineer in a steel works and was born in Ferry Hill, County Durham, his mother, Sarah A., is aged 48 and was born in Goole, she has no occupation listed. There are four children in the household; Joseph H. is an 18 year old analytical chemist in a steel works, born in Middlesbrough, Ernest is 17 years old and is a mechanical draughtsman in a steel works, born in Spennymoor, Durham, Florence L. is 12 years of age and Leslie is shown as Thomas L.V. and is 3 years of age.
The 1911 Census shows the family are still living at "Hillingden". His father is a 57 year old supervisor/engineer at the factory, his mother, is also 57 years old. they advised that they had been married for 29 years, and have had 7 children, 5 of whom have survived. They have three children in the household; Norman a 24 year old assistant engineer at a steel works, Florence is aged 22 with no occupation listed for her, and Leslie is aged 13 and at school.
The Wolverhampton Chronicle and Staffordshire Advertiser on Wednesday 04th March 1914 reported on the Bilston "Terriers";
BILSTON "TERRIERS."
COLONEL TAYLOR AND THE SEASON'S WORK.
The G (Bilston) Company of Territorials. unlike years ago, when it was the largest the battalion, is at present under strength, and the principal theme of the speeches at the annual prize-giving at the Drill Hall, Bilston, on Thursday evening, was an appeal to get the company up to something like the numbers of the old days.
The proceedings were presided over by Captain Lewis, who was supported by Colonel Taylor, Captain and Adjutant Gordon, Captain Holcroft, Captain Howl, Lieutenant Sankey, Sergeant-major Richardson, Messrs. R. W. Lewis, W. Hughes, and others.
Captain Lewis said the strength of the company comprised two officers and 95 non-commissioned officers and men, but there were 22 whose time expired before camp, leaving a total of 51 required to bring the company up to its requisite number. The camp this year would be at St. Asaph, near Rhyl, and in order to take the full complement he urged the members of the company to do their utmost to introduce as many recruits as possible during the next few weeks, reminding them they would be paid 1s. 6d. for each one. The number of qualified men in musketry had not been up to the average, and with the idea of improving it this year prizes had been offered. These would consist of certain amounts for every five points over last year's score in the standard test, by which it would be seen that the lowest scorer of the past had the best opportunity. He regretted that Mr. J. A. Jordan, the chairman of the District Council, was unable to be with them that evening owing to the death of his brother, but he was pleased to say he had offered a prize to the company, which it was proposed to allocate to the improvement in musketry on the lines he had suggested.
Colonel Taylor distributed the prizes, the list being headed by Colour-sergeant Aston with a score of 93. Sergeant Joyce was second with 88. Private L. V. Colley headed the recruits' list. Colour-sergeant Aston was also the winner of the Waterhouse Cup, the Harper Cup (for the highest score on the range), and also the Wilson Challenge Shield, which was shot for under handicap conditions. The recruits' medal was obtained by Private Colley.
The Colonel was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, and in reply said he had always looked upon G Company, as it undoubtedly was, as a smart and efficient one. There was at present only it, and that a few one was thing wrong with they required that more men like to make it large enough those in present numbers.
Leslie Victor enlisted in Wolverhampton. His Medal Index Card suggests he first joined the North Midlands Cyclist Company as Private 224 before he was transferred to the South Staffordshire Regiment as Private 15642. He was transferred again, this time to the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 57700.
Leslie Victor died of wounds to his arm, side and shoulder at 43 Casualty Clearing Station on 12th April 1917, aged 20. A telegram was sent to H.Q. Preston about the deaths of 22310 Armstrong and 57700 Colley.
He now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery in France where his headstone bears the epitaph:
"LOVINGLY REMEMBERED"
The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from small military cemeteries.
The cemetery now contains 1,266 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 29 German and two French war graves.
The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.
He earned his three medals.
Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £5 7s 9d and a War Gratuity of £12 10s went to his father Joseph. His pension record does not show any award.
He is commemorated on Bilston Town Memorial.
His mother, died, aged 82, in 1935.
Probate:-
COLLEY Sarah Ann of Hillingdon, Dover Street, Bilston Staffordshire wife of Joseph Colley died 11 July 1935 Probate Birmingham 13 December to the said Joseph Colley retired engineer and Samuel Morton Hayward retired grocer. Effects resworn £1558 11s 5d.
His father died, aged 90, in 1943.
His death was reported in the Wolverhampton Express and Star on Monday 13th December 1943;
BILSTON DEATH AT 90, FORMER W'TON GUARDIAN
The death occurred on Saturday of Mr. Joseph Colley, aged 90, Hillingdon, Dover-street, Bilston. For 35 years he was chief engineer and manager of the steel department of Spring-vale furnaces belonging to Alfred Hickman, (now Stewarts Lid and Lloyds. Ltd.). He was for many years a member of the old Wolverhampton Board of Guardians and of Bilston Public Assistance Committee. He was one of the two oldest members of Swan Bank Methodist Church, Bilston, in which up to the time of his death he took a keen interest. Mrs. Colley died some years ago. They celebrated their golden wedding in 1931. Two sons and one daughter survive.
We currently have no further information on Leslie Victor Colley, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
Killed On This Day.
(110 Years this day)Wednesday 19th April 1916.
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