Today We Remember

Arthur Edward COLLEY
Service no. 40189

Private – 2nd Battalion,
The Northamptonshire Regiment

Family Background

Arthur was the youngest and third son of Elias and Caroline Colley of Aynho, and we are pretty sure his family lived down at Aynho Wharf between the canal and the upper railway line. Arthur trained and worked as a carpenter. He was 23 when the war broke out and 26 when he was killed in action in March 1917.

Arthur’s father, Elias, was born in Halse, just north of Brackley in 1849 and he is shown on the Census as a stud groom then coachman at work in Aynho. He probably was employed by Aynhoe Park.

Arthur’s mother, Caroline, was a domestic servant who was born in Helmdon also just north of Brackley. The Census shows that she had seven children – so Arthur had four older sisters and two older brothers as we know from the family memorial cross in Aynho churchyard. Mr David Colley, a surviving grandson, lives with his wife in France and often visits Aynho.

Arthur had joined the 2nd Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment, once it had returned from Alexandria in Egypt at the outbreak of the War. The Battalion came back to Hursley Park, Winchester before embarking for France in November 1914 within 24 Brigade, 8 Division.

Like so many, Arthur Edward Colley has no known grave but his name appears on Pier and Face 11A and 11D of the Thiepval Memorial in France to the Missing of the Somme.