Historical records matching Pte. Leonard Coley
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About Pte. Leonard Coley
Len Coley [Collins], a private in 2nd Battalion, Wellington Regiment, left a description of the fighting on 27 March: As dawn broke ... we passed through and halted just outside the village of Colincamps. We were warned that Fritz was in the vicinity. Our scouts headed out to have a look. The rest of us prepared for a short stop while our officers palavered on the situation. The stop was too short. The scouts were back quickly. The Germans were marching along the road, half a mile away, towards us. The skipper gave us orders to stand by. He then spoke those words that make any soldier face hell 10 times over and never think of saying die.‘Well, boys, it’s up to us. There’s no one behind us for miles – but there soon will be.’ We all knew this was bluff as other troops were days away, but the skipper continued. ‘I want this crowd stopped here, right here, and knowing you, I have faith in you. Now go to it.’ No more orders were necessary. We all knew what was required. Like clockwork, we fell into extended battle order. We waited just inside the cover of the trees for that word which would take us back into action. Our platoon officer lay beside me. I knew what that meant. I could now see the Germans, less than 300 yards away. They were coming towards us in great style and pace. The officer said in my ear, ‘Sonny, you can start the ball. Fire.’ Source: Gavin McLean, Ian McGibbon and Kynan Gentry (eds), The Penguin book of New Zealanders at war, Penguin, 2009, p. 209 https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/western-front-1918
Sources
- Cenotaph: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/...
- Gavin McLean, Ian McGibbon and Kynan Gentry (eds), The Penguin book of New Zealanders at war, Penguin, 2009, p. 209 https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/western-front-1918
- https://ngatapuwae.govt.nz/stories/private-leonard-coley-collins/in...
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Pte. Leonard Coley's Timeline
| 1898 |
June 24, 1898
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Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui, North Island, New Zealand
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| 1968 |
April 24, 1968
Age 69
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Foxton, Manawatū-Whanganui, North Island, New Zealand
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April 24, 1968
Age 69
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Kelvin Grove Cemetery, [Q 009:110.], Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui, North Island, New Zealand
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