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Collen, Norman Owen

Second Lieutenant Norman Owen Collen, East Yorkshire Regiment, whose death is officially announced today, was killed on September 25, five days before his 19th birthday. He was the only son of Mr. & Mrs C. S. Collen of Southend-on-Sea, and was educated at Elstow School, Bedford, King’s College, London and Keble College, Oxford. He joined the Inns of Court O.T.C. in July, 1915, and went to the front last June. The chaplain of his battalion says:- “He was quite our pet, the ‘baby’ of the company officers and the favourite of all. We called him ‘Sunny Jim’ – so bright and cheery was he always. Now and again he would speak of his interest in the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield. He seemed to be a fine type of the best of our young manhood, which is making the supreme sacrifice for the highest motives. The Times 7 October, 1916

2nd Lieut, 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Reiment. Killed in action 25th September 1916, aged 18. Son of Charles Staples Collen of 67, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea; by his wife Amelia Ferris, daughter of Thomas Needham, of Dublin; born Upper Clapton, North 30th September 1897; educated Eton House School, Southend-on-Sea; Elstow School, Bedford; King’s College, London; Keble College, Oxford; joined the army July 1915 and gazetted 2nd Lieut. December 1915; went to France 15 June 1916. Buried on the battlefield. Lieut-Col. H. R. Sanders, commanding his battalion, wrote to his father; “Your son was, I regret to say, killed while leading his platoon in an assault on the German trenches 25 Sep …..  Your son was such a bright, gallant young fellow, just the type we most want.” The Officer Commanding 64th Brigade also “I, of course did not know him well but I happen to have met him very often whilst going around our trenches near Arras and was always impressed by his keenness and sense of duty. He died doing his duty with his men. Unm. De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour

Biographical

Surname(s)Collen
First name(s)Norman Owen
Date of birth30 September 1897
Place of birthUpper Clapton North
Family details

Only son of Mr. & Mrs Charles Staples Collen of Southend-on-Sea

Previous educationEton House School, Southend-on-Sea, Elstow School, Bedford
CollegeKing's College London and/or King's College London Hospital
Dates at college1913-1914
Dept / coursePreliminary Class
Military unitEast Yorkshire Regiment, 1st Bn.
Date enlistedJuly 1915
War / conflictWorld War One (1914-1918)
Date of death25/09/1916
Age at death18
Cause of deathKilled in action
Burial placeWarlencourt British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Commemoration(s)Roll of Honour Elstow School
Sources

King’s College Archives; Commonwealth War Graves; The Times; De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour

Further information

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