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 birth | 30 September 1897 |
| Place of birth | Upper Clapton North |
| Family details | Only son of Mr. & Mrs Charles Staples Collen of Southend-on-Sea |
| Previous education | Eton House School, Southend-on-Sea, Elstow School, Bedford |
| College | King's College London and/or King's College London Hospital |
| Dates at college | 1913-1914 |
| Dept / course | Preliminary Class |
| Military unit | East Yorkshire Regiment, 1st Bn. |
| Date enlisted | July 1915 |
| War / conflict | World War One (1914-1918) |
| Date of death | 25/09/1916 |
| Age at death | 18 |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Burial place | Warlencourt 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 |