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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: journalgirl on Tuesday 27 July 21 11:02 BST (UK)

Title: William James Collyer
Post by: journalgirl on Tuesday 27 July 21 11:02 BST (UK)
I am seeking a photo of William James Collyer. SN 4146 A.I.F. He was from Surrey England and served in WW1. I have searched all the Australian sites, and have acquired service records etc. but no photo. He stated in a letter to his mother(Elizabeth) that he would send her a photo of himself in uniform. I would be grateful for a photo of him in or out of uniform. Thanks so much
Title: Re: William James Collyer
Post by: rosie99 on Tuesday 27 July 21 18:19 BST (UK)
Welcome to rootschat

Could you please give us a bit more information on William,  where and when was he born.  Do you have him on the 1911 census
Title: Re: William James Collyer
Post by: journalgirl on Tuesday 27 July 21 22:56 BST (UK)
William James Collyer was born in Thursley, Surrey to Elizabeth Collyer (nee Pink) His father was Joseph Collyer. William was born in 1894 but I dont have his actual birth date. He died at Pozieres on 29th July 1916. I have a few details about him from war records etc. but no photo. He is the great uncle of another Roots chat member's husband, but I cannot contact her. She hasn't posted anything since 2019. He is British but enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force i December 1915. His army records show his name as James William Collyer which is a mistake and he explains that to his mother in a letter he sent back to her in England. I have not accessed any census records as I am in Australia. We found war postcards from Will that he had sent to my great grand mother during his time in France. Apparently he met her while in training camp at Enoggera in Brisbane. Thank you for the reply. Hope you can source a photo.   Cheers
Title: Re: William James Collyer
Post by: rosie99 on Wednesday 28 July 21 08:07 BST (UK)
It may be a good idea if you post on the thread that you have found by the other rootschatter as they should get an email to say someone has posted.  Hopefully they may have a photo.

Most English census transcripts are available to view free of charge on familysearch, you may need to register but it is free

1901
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSX1-M5V


Title: Re: William James Collyer
Post by: nanny jan on Wednesday 28 July 21 12:48 BST (UK)
He features in several trees on Ancestry;  the first one I could look at has a small photograph! 

I will PM.
Title: Re: William James Collyer
Post by: journalgirl on Thursday 29 July 21 07:00 BST (UK)
thanks so much!