William Colbourne

Memorial: Iron Acton - St James the Less Church

Regiment: Gloucestershire Regiment

Medals: British War Medal, Next of Kin Memorial Plaque 1914 - 1921, Victory Medal

Rank and number: Private 5119

Parents: Joseph and Mary Ann Colbourne

Home address: Northmead Lane, Iron Acton, Bristol

Date of birth: 1890

Place of birth: Iron Acton, Bristol

Date of death: 15/08/1916

Buried/Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 5 A and 5 B.), France

Age: 26

Further information:

William Colbourne was the son of Joseph (a coal haulier) and Mary Ann Colbourne of Northmead Lane, Iron Acton

William served with the 1st/6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment and died on the 15th August 1916 aged 26. He death from wounds received was reported in the Gloucester Journal of Saturday 16th September 1916 amongst a list of 140 officers (37 killed) and 4744 other ranks who were also casualties. On the 15th the 1st/6th Gloucesters were relieved in the trenches near Ovillers by the 4th Gloucesters and went into reserve trenches at Ribble Street, east of Aveluy so it seems likely that he was wounded earlier, possibly on the 14th when A and B Companies unsuccessfully attacked the Germans. William’s grave is unlocated and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial

William Colbourne is also remembered on the Chipping Sodbury and District War Memorial Cottage Hospital board, now at Yate and District Heritage Centre under Iron Acton

By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):

Yate and District Heritage Centre, Forces War Records and CWGC