|
Authors: Alan Collie & Johan Van Duyse Remembrance, Messines Ridge
British Cemetry
Saturday, June, 6th, 2009. 
Arthur
Earl Collie - His Life Story. 'I located the wonderful
cover photo of Arthur at Dunedin's Early Settlers Association. It had been donated
but due to NZ privacy laws I have been unable to locate the donor. My apoligies
for the incorrect photo label but in 1917 Messines and Europe were a long way
away'
'Our Collies came from Morayshire with a strong Scottish
bloodline, travelled to County Clare and Limerick Ireland 1837, then Melbourne,
Australia 1856, Invercargill New Zealand 1883 where Arthur and others were born
and onto Dunedin 1899 where myself and other Collies were born....'
Alan Collie 2009 Our story starts in 1856 when William COLLIE
(born 1805) and Catherine FRASER with seven children depart from Ireland to the
Emigration Centre at Plymouth, England bound for Victoria, Australia. One of the
children was William COLLIE aged 10 b 1849 County Limerick, Ireland. He
is the father of our soldier.
In 1857 the Collie family
arrives in Belfast (now Pt. Fairy), Victoria, Australia on the ship WILLIAM.
The Passenger List of the WILLIAM shows the Collies with a 'destination of Melbourne'.
In 1871 William, at age 22, started work as a bookbinder in Melbourne
with George Robertson and Co. This Company sold second hand books and later became
a Publisher. In 1879 the same William COLLIE, now aged 31, bookbinder of
Abbotsford Street and Catherine RYAN, age 21, Lady, of Frantylin Street, Hotham
marry in Melbourne and on the 25th of January 1880 Robert William COLLIE
is born in Melbourne. A year later Catherine RYAN drowns (age 23) on Brighton
Beach Melbourne after being separated from William COLLIE for 10 months. Her body
was found at the high tide mark, fully clothed with no sign of abuse. Catherine
was born a Roman Catholic and was 5 ½ months pregnant to William Collie
when they married. William was Church of England. Son Robert William Collie was
1 ¾ years old when Catherine drowned. In 1881 the railway line terminated
at Brighton Beach…. Perhaps Catherine took a train ride to Brighton
and due to the marriage separation, family and religious pressures and postnatal
issues pushed her to take her own life. In 1883 William Collie resigns from
George Robertson and Co and sails to New Zealand where he was employed again as
a bookbinder with Erskine and Whitmore in Invercargill. In 1885 William
COLLIE aged 36, marries Lucy Ann CLARKE from New Plymouth, Taranaki
in Invercargill. First son Robert sails to Invercargill in 1886. Father
William 
Mother Lucy
Together
they have 5 children ... with William's eldest son Robert, born Melbourne, living
with them.
- Lottie Ethel May Collie born 8/7/1887 Invercargill,
died Melbourne
- William Ernest Collie born 2/7/1891 Mary Street,
East Invercargill, died Dunedin
- Arthur Earl Collie born 30/1/1893
Gala Street Invercargill, killed Messines.
- Marthy Ivy Collie born
29/4/1895 Don Street Invercargill, died Martin, NZ
- Olive Lucy Collie
born 15/2/1897 Don Street Invercargill, died Mosgiel, Dunedin.
In
1893 William Collie becomes the Licensee of the Park View Hotel, Gala St, Invercargill,
the first of five hotels he will be operating during his life. The Park View Hotel
was in the Invercargill North area. Park View Hotel Invercargill c1894
The
same year Arthur Earl COLLIE, our soldier was born, and one year
later, his father William COLLIE moves to another hotel: the Criterion Hotel,
Don St Invercargill. The Collie family upstairs at the Hotel and Martha and Olive
Collie were born there too. Criterion Hotel Invercargill 1896 
Criterion Hotel Invercargill 2009 
In
1897 or 1898 the COLLIE family moved from Invercargill to Dunedin and on the 26th
of February we can read an advertisement in the Tuapeka Times. 'CENTRAL
HOTEL, three minutes walk from Railway Station, Princess St Dunedin, W Collie.
Late of the Criterion, Invercargill, has taken the above centrally situated hosteiry
and will be always pleased to see his old friends when they are paying a visit
to Dunedin. Excellent Accommodation for Boarders and travelling Public. Hot and
Cold Baths. Two
excellent Billard Tables.'
Central Hotel
Dunedin 1901 
Central_Hotel Building Dunedin 2009 
In 1900 we can find the family in the Southern Hotel, Princess St, Dunedin.
Again Arthur's father William is the Licensee. Southern Hotel 1903 
Southern
Hotel 2009
 From
1903 photo we see the official opening on the city's new electric tram service.
It so happened that the opening was right outside William Collie's Southern Hotel
and quite a crowd had gathered for the opening. Note the horse and carts, the
gas street lights and the long dresses the ladies wore and the people leaning
out of the top floor windows of the Hotel. Of course the entire Collie family
lived on the top floor of the Hotel in 1903, Arthur included aged 10. Perhaps
Arthur is one of those looking out? And again in 1903.. The Auction of the
Captain Cook Hotel in Dunedin, a brick building with 12 rooms and a bar. William
Collie purchased this hotel at this auction and again the family lived upstairs.
Captain Cook Hotel c1900 
Captain
Cook Hotel 2006
In
1905 Williams eldest son Robert W COLIIE marries Euphiemia Muirhead in Dunedin.
His grandchild is our Alan. Our Arthur Earl also goes to school Arthur
went to two Primary Schools in Dunedin; Kensington and St.Clair, between 1899
and 1907 and then onto........... Dunedin's Boys High School 
This
picture is taken 1908/09 in the winter....(the school later had a name change
to Otago Boys High School). Arthur went to this school 1908 to 1910. Dunedin is
surrounded by high hills and has a great harbour!! The school still stands at
the same place now and the Memorial Gate with Arthur's name in bronze are now
to the extreme right of the school buildings, which is the main entrance to the
school.....
Arthur was a very good cricket and rugby player… CRICKET
TEAM 1908 
RUGBY
TEAM 1910 
The
cricket photo came from the school records showing Arthur in the 1st Cricket team
1908 at age 15.. Arthur left Boys High School in 1910 and became an Ironmonger
at Patterson and Barr Ltd in Dunedin. The old Union Rugby Football group
photo of Arthur is when he was 17, and when he had left school. He is sitting
on the left hand side of the captain (who is holding the ball). 6 years later
he died at Messines...
It was common that teams that won a competition,
as this 1910 team did, for every player to receive a 'cap'. Alan says:
'I am lucky to have Arthur's 'cap, given to me by my father Earl, who was given
it by his father Robert William who must have got it from Arthur's belongings
after he was killed in 1917. Arthur and Robert were very close to each other.......
and in 1911 and 1912 Arthur joined the same Rugby Football Club (Zingari Richmond
Rugby Football Club) that Robert William Collie was in. Robert later went on to
be that clubs President and other notable positions to do with the game on Rugby
Football in Dunedin and Otago, which is still New Zealand's national game....
Arthur's 1910 Rugby Cap. 
Arthur
at Zingari RFC 1913  This
is a great 1913 photo of him taken a approx. a year before he went to WW1, and
4 years before he was killed. Arthur on the top row, second from the left... Alan:
'Arthur most likely received a 'cap' for his team winning the competition but
I do not know where that is. I managed to get the photo on loan off the wall at
the Zingari Club a year ago, and had it copied which hangs on the wall of my study
here in Auckland.' Great Britian declares War on Germany in 1914 and Arthur
and many other New Zealander young men join the Army for a new overseas 'adventure'... 14/8/14
Arthur was given his Medical Examination in Dunedin, New Zealand.
23/8/14 Attested
in Dunedin New Zealand as a Private in the Otago Infantory.
22/9/14 Otago Regiment
sailed from Port Chalmers to Wellington.
16/10/14 Sailed from New Zealand with
the Main Body on Transport No.5 (S S Ruapehu for Arthur) and arrived Alexandria
Egypt 3/12/14
3/12/14 Extensive Military Training was undertaken.
12/4/15
Embarked from Alexandria Egypt for Gallipoli, Dardanelles, Turkey.. 11/8/15
Admitted to Casuality Clearing station at Dardanelles. Private A. Collie,
Otago Infantry
Reported wounded, now in hospital (Otago Witness 27 October
1915) with dysentery. 
12/8/15
Promoted to Corporal in Dardanelles
15/8/15 Admitted to St Andrews Hospital,
Malta from H S Glasgow hospital ship for 6 weeks with Dysentery.
18/9/15 Embarked
for England on S S Oxfordshire ship. 
25/9/15 Admitted to Alder Hey Special Military Hospital, Liverpool for
18 weeks
31/1/16 Taken to Walton on Thames NZ Military Hospital until 10/2/16 Walton
on Thames England Hospital
28/2/16 Taken to Hornchurch Camp, England
Grey Towers Hornchurch
Hospital England WW1 
2/3/16
Transferred to Hornchurch War Hospital
22/3/16 Taken to a Classfied location
30/4/16 Transferred to France or Belgium
25/5/16 Joined 2nd Battalion in
the Field and posted to 14th Company.
22/7/16 Sent to Hospital
5/8/16 Rejoined
Battalion from Hospital
26/9/16 Promoted to Sergeant (authority from Rouen)
Arthur's appointment was awarded to him as a result of a Sergeant Brian Vernon
Dillon 8/190 of Dunedin being killed 15/9/16 at the Somme. It is assumed that
Arthur fought at the Somme too.
10/1/17 Appointed Tempory Company Sergant
Major (as a result of a C.S.M. R.J.Knox being posted)
10/1/17 Promoted Company
Sergant Major
10/1/17 Appointed Warrent Officer Class 2
20/3/17 Attached
to No.5 New Zealand Light Railway Operating Section
8/4/17 Rejoined Battalion
7/6/17
Killed in Action. (Messines Belgium) Just before his death at Messines
he had been at Instructional Schools in France, and was expecting an early commission.
And then Messines… Messines, calm and
quiet today
 Preparations
for Battle (from A.E; Byrne Official History of Otago Regiment in the Great War)
… A brief topographical explanation will assist the reader to
visualise the situation and appreciate the task involved. The Messines-Wytschaete
Ridge lay almost midway between the towns of Armentieres and Ypres. Situated at
the eastern end of a chain of abrupt, isolated hills which divided the valleys
of the Rivers Lys and Yser, it linked up with the rising ground which stretched
north-east from Wytschaete to the Ypres-Menin Road, and then northwards past Passchendaele
to Staden. The village of Messines, situated on the southern spur of the ridge,
commanded a wide view of the Lys Valley and enfiladed the British lines to the
south. Northwest of Messines was the village of Wytschaete, situated at the point
of the salient and on the highest part of the ridge and commanding even more completely
the town of Ypres and the whole of the British positions in the Ypres Salient.
The Messines Ridge had many great natural advantages, and these the enemy during
his long tenure had developed to the utmost. Messines and Wytschaete villages
stood as the main centres of resistance, with numerous farm-houses and buildings,
outwardly innocent looking shacks, as strong-points of great tactical strength.
The German front line skirted the western foot of the ridge in a deep curve; the
second line system followed the crest of the ridge and formed an inner curve.
The forward defences consisted of an elaborate and intricate system of well-wired
trenches and strong-points, forming a defensive belt approximately 2,000 yards
in depth. The many farms and woods were well prepared for defence, and the face
of the ridge was liberally punctuated with strongly constructed and well concealed
machine gun emplacements, with concrete dug-outs designed to protect the garrisons
against the effects of our artillery fire. The enemy had fortified these naturally
strong positions in a manner calculated by him to form an impregnable barrier
to any attack on the part of the Allies… On June 3rd elaborate orders
for the attack and capture of the Messines-Wytschaete Ridge were issued. The operation
was entrusted to the Second Army, under the Command of General Sir Herbert
Plumer, and the front selected for the attack extended from a point opposite
St. Yves to Mount Sorrell inclusive, a distance, following the curve of the salient,
of between nine and ten miles. The final objective was the Oosttaverne Line between
these two points; and the greatest depth to which the attack was to penetrate
represented about two and a-half miles. The frontage allotted to the II. Anzac
Corps; which embraced the New Zealand, the 3rd Australian, and the 25th Divisions,
extended from St. Yves to the Wulverghem-Wytschaete Road. The attack of
the Corps was divided into two phases, as follows: 1st-The attack and capture
of the Black Line, which extended across the forward side of the village of Messines;
2nd-The attack and capture of the Green or Oosttaverne Line. The first phase was
to be carried out by troops of three Divisions disposed side by side, namely,
the 3rd Australian, the New Zealand, and the 25th, from right to left.
The second phase was to be carried out by the 3rd and 4th Australian Divisions;
and to this end the 4th Australian Division was to pass through the New Zealand
and 25th Divisions and capture the Green Line opposite the fronts of those Divisions.
The New Zealand Division, being in the centre of the Corps front, was thus entrusted
with the honour of capturing Messines Village. In the allotment of tasks
within the New Zealand Divisional area, the 2nd Infantry Brigade and the 3rd (Rifle)
Brigade were committed to the capture of the first and second German lines on
the forward slopes of the ridge and the village of Messines itself. The two Brigades
were to attack side by side, the 2nd Brigade on the left and the 3rd Brigade on
the right, the Brigade boundary being represented by a straight line drawn from
a point in Hanbury Support, along the line of the Gooseberry Farm-Messines Road,
and through the centre of the village. In the subdivision of the
2nd Brigade task the attack was to be carried out with two battalions in front,
namely, the 1st Battalion of Otago on the left, and the 1st Battalion of Canterbury
on the right, with the inter-battalion boundary represented by a line running
from our new front line at Calgary Avenue to the road junction at Moulin de l'Hospice
(inclusive to Otago), thence along the Wulverghem-Messines Road to the cross-roads
on the north-western side of the village. The 4th (Otago) Company, commanded by
Captain C. H. Molloy, on the right, and 8th (Southland) Company, commanded by
Captain J. Thompson, on the left, were detailed to capture that portion of the
objective allotted to the 1st Battalion of Otago; and special parties from these
two companies were detailed to deal with the two strong-points-the Moulin de l'Hospice
on the right, and Birthday Farm on the left. The 10th (North Otago) Company and
two platoons of 14th (South Otago) Company, the whole under Captain E. F. Selby,
with Lieut. E. V. Freed in immediate command of the two 14th Company platoons,
were committed to the capture of the enemy trenches between the Wulverghem-Messines
Road and the left Divisional boundary. The Battalion reserve comprised the remaining
two platoons of 14th Company, which were to follow the troops assigned to the
second objective as far as the German front line, and there under cover await
orders. Captain D. Rae was appointed Liason Officer to the Irish Brigade on the
immediate left of the New Zealand Division. After the capture of Oyster
Reserve Trench, or Brown Line, by the 1st Battalions of Otago and Canterbury,
a further advance was necessary in order to straighten out the line. The 2nd Brigade's
main objective, the capture of Messines and the formation of a defensive line
round the eastern side, was entrusted to the 2nd Battalion of Canterbury, to which
was attached one company of. the 2nd Battalion of Otago. This particular company,
the 10th (North Otago), was responsible for straightening out the line on the
left, and in its path was one of the enemy's formidable strongholds, known as
Swayne's Farm. The 2nd Battalion of Otago, less 10th Company, constituted
the Brigade reserve, and if required was to be prepared to assist in the capture
of the forward line of objectives within the Brigade area, or to move to any threatened
point in the event of hostile counter-attack. The capture of the foremost line,
known as the Black Line, the establishment of strong-points on the Black Dotted
Line still further ahead, and the capture of enemy guns was to be carried out
by troops of the 1st Infantry Brigade. Owing to the fact that the
German trench system swung forward sharply from our line of stepping-off, it was
realised that the 25th Division on the immediate left of the New Zealand Division
would be considerably in rear of our left flank when the general move commenced
at zero. The left flank of the New Zealand Division would thus be exposed to the
enemy until such time as the left Division of the Corps had advanced sufficiently
far to effect a junction, which, according to the time-table of attack, was expected
to take place when in line with Occur Avenue. Thereafter troops of the two Divisions
would advance in close touch to the Black Line, when the three attacking Divisions
of the Corps should be side by side. In thus leaving our left flank temporarily
exposed there was an element of danger, but under the circumstances it was unavoidable;
and in order to reduce the attendant risks to a minimum protection was to be afforded
by an artillery and machine gun barrage and by a smoke screen. Twelve tanks
were detailed to co-operate with the Division, and eight of these were allotted
to the 2nd Infantry Brigade. All plans for the capture of objectives, however,
were based on the supposition that no co-operation from tanks would be forthcoming,
thus providing against any failure on their part to get forward with the infantry… The
leading Battalions of Otago and Canterbury Regiments were to move forward on a
two company frontage. The two leading waves were to be responsible for the capture
of the first objective, the Blue Line; the third wave for the second or Brown
Line; and the fourth wave in the case of Otago was to be used for straightening
out the Brown Line on the extreme left. The 2nd Battalion of Canterbury, plus
the 10th Company of the 2nd Battalion of Otago, was to follow the two leading
Battalions on a two company frontage at a distance of not more than 50 yards,
and the 2nd Battalion of Otago was in turn to move in rear of Canterbury,
with its left on the Wulverghem-Messines Road, and form up in a position of readiness
in the dead ground in the valley of the Steenbeek. At eight o'clock
on the evening of June 6th the 1st Battalion of the Regiment, under the command
of Lieut.-Colonel A. B. Charters, paraded in full attack order; an hour later
the 2nd Battalion paraded similarly equipped. Lieut.-Colonel G. S. Smith
at this stage temporarily handed over command of the 2nd Battalion to Major McCrae,
and proceeded to Morbecque. The Regiment now moved off from its area of concentration,
and commenced the march to the positions of assembly in the forward zone. The
allotment of assembly positions was as follows:-1st Battalions of Otago and Canterbury
Regiments, in the new advanced trench and Otira Trench; 2nd Battalion of Canterbury
Regiment, in Auckland and Canterbury Trenches; 2nd Battalion of Otago Regiment,
in Napier and Canterbury cut north of Calgary Avenue. By 12.30 a.m. on
June 7th all troops of the 2nd New Zealand Infantry Brigade were in position in
their assembly trenches. The 1st Battalion of the Regiment was at fighting strength
of 27 officers and 576 other ranks; the 2nd Battalion at 26 officers and 772 other
ranks. Zero hour, the opening moment of the attack, was fixed for 3.10 a.m.
on June 7th. The Attack Launched. Punctually to time the
great series of underground mines were fired, the effect instantly being a premonitory
heaving and trembling of the earth, as if Nature, in some mad freak of hideous
sympathy with the prevalent human wickedness, was preparing to launch an assortment
of horrors on her own account. The first trench system offered comparatively
light resistance to our advance, and the attacking troops pressed on up the slopes
of the Ridge to the assault of their main objectives. Within the hour the New
Zealanders had captured Messines; before midday Irish troops had fought their
way through Wytschaete; and then the attackers commenced to move down the eastern
slopes of the Ridge. It was not long before our guns were being pushed forward.
The final part of the Second Army's attack developed soon afterwards; by evening
the advance had reached the approximate line of the final objective; and over
7,000 prisoners, 67 guns, 94 trench mortars, and 290 machine guns had fallen to
the possession of the Second Army. The terrible and overwhelming destruction caused
by the explosion of the underground mines, the pulverising blows of the artillery,
and the rapidity with which the attack had been carried through by the infantry,
left the enemy at the close of the day beaten and bewildered and the great stronghold
of the Messines-Wytschaete Ridge in our hands. The assaulting waves of the
1st Battalion of Otago Regiment, side by side with Canterbury troops, moved forward
to the attack across No Man's Land at the appointed time. Seven minutes after
zero, and before the enemy's counter-barrage came down, the whole of the 2nd Brigade
troops were clear of the forward assembly trenches. The rapidity and ease with
which this was accomplished, and the subsequent comparative absence of indecision
in the matter of assigned duties and direction were to be attributed to the frequent
rehearsals of the attack during the period of training prior to the offensive.
Moving in extended order, and closely following the barrage, the Otago Infantry
crossed the valley of the Steenbeek and commenced the attack of the slopes in
front. The German front line they had taken in their stride, and with almost incredible
speed had captured and were consolidating the first objective. The two great strongholds,
Moulin de l'Hospice and Birthday Farm, were surrounded and captured before the
garrisons could do any material damage with their machine guns; and in and around
these localities five machine guns and 50 prisoners were taken and a number of
the enemy killed. The two platoons committed to the capture of the Moulin de l'Hospice,
in consequence of casualties to officers, were led to the final assault by Sergt.
J. H. Wilson. A single machine gun had continued firing even up to the point when
the position was surrounded, until it was finally put out of action by Sergt.
J. Mason. Immediately this objective was gained consolidation was commenced over
a line 80 yards in advance of the enemy strong-point; and it was at this stage
that Pte. C. A. Fitzpatrick on jumping into a shell-hole encountered an enemy
machine gun which he forthwith attacked single-handed, bayoneting five of the
crew and capturing the gun and one of the enemy. The 10th Company and two
platoons of 14th Company, under the command of Captain E. F. Selby, which were
committed to Otago's portion of the second objective, moved forward and similarly
quickly overwhelmed the opposition. Continuing their advance, they established
themselves on a line approximately 200 yards in rear of Swayne's Farm, and there
commenced consolidation. A machine gun now came into action from Swayne's Farm
and threatened to interfere with operations. This new development was, however,
countered by the arrival of one of the two tanks (the second having been ditched
on the way up) detailed to cooperate with 10th Company and the two platoons of
14th Company. Captain Selby directed the tank commander's attention to the enemy
opposition at Swayne's Farm, and the tank was headed straight for the redoubt,
demolishing the superstructure and compelling the surrender of the garrison and
large numbers of the enemy who had apparently collected there for shelter. Consolidation
on the line gained now continued without interruption; but it was found necessary
to construct and garrison about 100 yards of trench towards the left in order
to connect up with the troops of the 25th Division, this actually being beyond
the New Zealand Division's boundary. Lieut. Freed, in immediate command of the
two platoons of 14th Company, had materially assisted with his formation towards
the success of operations, though wounded early in the attack. The suddenness
of the assault and the fact that our attacking infantry had broken into the hostile
defences almost at the moment the barrage lifted, afforded the enemy small chance
of bringing his machine guns into action. Without our effective barrage and swiftly
attacking infantry the German strongholds encountered, with their two or three
machine guns and their garrisons varying in strength from 15 to 40 men, would
have presented expensive propositions. Consolidation having been commenced over
the new ground, it was not long before sufficient depth had been dug to afford
comparatively good cover. Digging operations were vigorously pushed ahead throughout
the day, and the positions strongly fortified against possible counter-attack.
The two reserve platoons of 14th Company were directed to assist with the consolidation
of the second objective, and Battalion Headquarters was established in a concrete
emplacement on the Wulverghem-Messines Road, above the Moulin de 'Hospice. On
the right Canterbury troops had also made quick progress, capturing their first
objective after meeting with inconsiderable opposition and securing 17 prisoners
and three machine guns from the redoubt known as Au Bon Fermier Cabaret. The
2nd Battalion of the Regiment (Major McCrae in command), less 10th Company, moved
forward at zero from its assembly positions in artillery formation, and reached
the position assigned to it at 3.16 a.m., where the troops dug in on a line named
New Oyster Trench, and at 4 a.m. Battalion Headquarters was established there.
The 2nd Battalion of the Regiment constituted the Brigade reserve, and was to
assist in the capture of the forward objective if required. Accordingly, at 5
a.m. the 14th Company, commanded by Captain Bremner, went forward to act as support
to the 2nd Battalion of Canterbury, while No. 14 platoon joined in the mopping-up
of Messines Village, afterwards assisting in conjunction with Nos. 13 and 16 platoons
in the consolidation of New Oxonian Trench forward of Messines; No. 15 platoon
digging in as a reserve in rear of the village. One platoon of 4th Company
received orders to construct a trench connecting Canterbury's left flank with
the right flank of the 25th Division east of Swayne s Farm. This was accomplished
by 2.30 p.m., though not without casualties, for fairly heavy shell fire was now
being experienced. The 4th Company, commanded by Captain P. Spiers, advanced to
reinforce the 2nd Battalion of Canterbury, but after halting and taking cover
on the crest of the ridge found that its services were not required, and moved
back to New Oyster Trench. Two platoons of 8th Company went forward and assisted
Canterbury in the work of consolidation. By 6 p.m., the 4th, 8th, and 14th Companies
had returned to New Oyster Trench, and by 10 p.m. had completed consolidation
over a distance of 600 yards. Under the command of 2nd-Lieut. (Temp.-Captain)
J. Rodgers, M.M., 10th Company of the 2nd Battalion of Otago, which was attached
to Canterbury and was entrusted with the task of capturing October Support from
its junction with Oxonian Trench to the left Divisional boundary, carried out
its task with the 25th Division in line on the left, and under heavy shell fire
dug in about 200 yards in advance of its section of the Yellow Line. Practically
no artillery fire had been encountered until the enemy's support line was passed,
and no heavy fire until the objective was occupied. The earlier successful intervention
of a tank had practically disposed of Swayne's Farm as a serious obstacle to progress,
and there remained but a few stragglers to round up. The Distinguished Conduct
Medal was conferred upon Company Sergt.-major J. C. Fothergill for his fine service
during the period of consolidating the captured position. The same distinction
was won by Pte. T. J. Beck, Battalion runner, who, though twice wounded, had remained
on duty. The 2nd Battalion of Canterbury, in clearing the village of Messines,
was temporarily held up south of the Square, but the process of envelopment from
left and right relieved the situation. Here a large number of the enemy were killed,
several machine guns knocked out, and 180 prisoners taken. Opposition from enemy
trenches in the cemetery was dealt with, and the capture of the Yellow Line was
completed. The enemy's shelling of the forward area became increasingly
heavy as the day advanced, and the gradual withdrawal of troops of the 2nd Battalion
of Otago relieved the congestion and appreciably minimised casualties.
At 8 a.m. Major McCrae had gone forward to the 2nd Battalion of Canterbury and
found that unit's Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Colonel H. Stewart, badly wounded,
and at his request assumed command until the arrival of Major Starnes shortly
afterwards. 7 June 1917 Killed in Action. (Messines Belgium) Arthur's
Army service was…. 31 days in New Zealand and 624 days Overseas ........
a total of 1 year and 289 days
NZ 31 days, Egypt 201 days, Gallipoli
Turkey 126 days, Malta 41 days, England 217 days and Europe (France and Belgium)
404 days. 
The
following Obituary to Arthur was located within the archives of his old Dunedin
High School. Great words for sure. Company Sergeant-Major
A.E.Collie. Arthur Collie was at the School in 1908 and 1909, winning
his cricket cap at the close of his first year. on leaving he entered the employ
of Patterson and Barr, continuing his cricket with the Dunedin Club. He also took
great interest in Rugby Football, and was one of the Zingari Club's most promising
players. Collie left with the Main Body, went through the Gallipoli Campaign,
but fell sick just before the evacuation and was invalided to England. Just before
he met his death at Messines he had been at Instructional Schools in France, and
was expecting an early commission. The offical report bearing on his death is
worthy of record--" This Warrent Officer throughout his services has always
displayed the greatest gallantry and devotion to duty. During the morning of June
7 he supervised the carrying and dumping of all stores. He moved about the men,
and kept his company commander continually advised as to the number of casualties
to N.C.O's and men. He set a fine example to the N.C.O's and men, and proved himself
invaluable to his company. His gallant services, energy, and ability were
remarked upon and admired by everyone who knew him. He is most strongly recommended
for recognition." His captain adds--"Everyone says the same of him-
he did not know what fear was, he never complained, was always cheerful, and in
the middle of an action it bucked one up considerably just to see and
speak
to him."
After his death: his name lives for evermore…
Alan said….'I am told by the older generation of Collies
that Arthurs parents, William and Lucy, were very very upset at
their son being killed and really never got over it until the time they died in
1929 and 1927......Arthur's brothers and sisters too were very upset for a long
time after loosing Arthur... And you can see, several family members tried to
keep the name of their 'lost' brother and uncle alive by calling their children
Arthur Earl..... To them Arthur was a hero'. The same year (1917) Arthur
Ernest Collie (right) and Earl Raymond Collie (left) (Alan Collie's father), twins,
were born in Dunedin. Parents were Robert William Collie (Alan Collie's grandfather)
and Euphemia Muirhead. Look at their names… The Collie twins:
Arthur and Earl b December 1917 
In 1921 another Arthur Earl is born in Dunedin. Parents were William
Ernest Collie and Beatrice Annie Wharton. He died in 2005. Arthur
E Collie b 1921 
And our Arthur's eldest sister Lottie married Justin McCarthy in Auckland.
They had a son born 1924 and called him Arthur Earl.......(McCarthy) ... so that
is another close family association. Arthur Earl Mc Carthy b 1924 
Arthur Earl Collie's medals 
Alan:
'These are Arthurs WW1 medals. The originals were sent to his mother, but they
cannot be located, so these are copies that I purchased and mounted them... and
like the 1913 photo, this plaque hangs in my study. In 1923 the WW1 Memorial Gate
at Boys High School Dunedin was erected. Similar gates and monuments were erected
in many places in New Zealand .... at schools, public gardens and in town centres
to honour and remember the 1000's of young Kiwis that gave their lives during
the Great War.' Arthur's High School in Dunedin 
'This is the 1914/18 Memorial Gate at Arthurs High School in Dunedin. (Otago
Boys High School). Inside the entrance are the names of the fallen Soldiers and
of course Arthurs is there.'
Here we see Arthurs name set in bronze. 
But life goes on… In 1927 Lucy Ann COLLIE, the mother
of Arthur Earl, dies in Dunedin. Lucy Ann Collie with her daughter
Olive 
Arthur's
father is still alive. He does two things: He makes a lasting memory for his wife
and his son Arthur at Dunedin's Northern Cemetery. (Alan and other relations restored
the grave)
Another memory of Arthur 
And in 1928 William sails back to Australia, with his daughter Olive,
to see the Melbourne Cup run, visit friends, relations and Williams eldest daughter
Lottie who lived in Melbourne. 
Back in New Zealand in 1929 William COLLIE dies in Dunedin, age 80 and
is buried in Lucy's grave. 
The
family nowadays. 'There are many descendants of William Collie and
his two wives Catherine Ryan and Lucy Clark. Most are in Dunedin NZ but many are
scattered throughout New Zealand, Australia and many countries of the world. Unfortunately
there are no descendants of our Arthur' 'Below are the two oldest direct
descendants of William Collie, Olive and Gwen' Dunedin Collies 
'Olive (80)(descendant of Arthur's sister Olive McLauchlan nee
Collie) is on the right, my mother Rona Collie (nee Corke, she married
Earl Collie - one of the twins) (90) is in the middle, and Gwen (82) (
who is the youngest daughter of William Ernest Collie, Arthur's brother) is on
the left......they too like a wine!!!!.... Gwen who is now 81 did not really know
why her father did not go to WW1... and she has no knowledge of him being a volunteer
here in NZ or overseas..... William Ernest Collie was married to Beatrice Wharton
in 1913, had their first daughter in 1913, the second in 1916, the third in 10/1917...
so it is very likely that Willam Ernest Collie was not required or permitted to
go to WW1 as he was married with 3 daughters' Alan
The family of
Alan and Barbara 
Anna
Collie (lives in London) standing at rear.... Steve Collie (now in Dubai) at rear
with his wife Kerry in the green.... Louise Kuegler (n Collie)(lives in Auckland)
in the front with husband Scott, and of course Barbara and myself.
Barbara
and myself are fortunate to now have four grandchildren....Will aged 2 ½,
Mila 1 ½, and twins Jed and Toby ages 4 months. Alan and Barbara
came to visit the grave of his great-uncle at Messines in 2005..... and now he
is back. 
'Recently
Arthur's Company Sergent Major's Parade Stick was located in Sydney Australia
in the care of another relation..... this had been returned to Dunedin after his
1917 death and his parents had the engraving put onto it.... Its great to be able
to bring it back to Messines.... perhaps more posessions of Arthur will come to
hand in the years ahead.' Arthur's Parade Stick..... 
Published on greatwar.be - 10/06/2009 | 