Royal Field Artillery ‘A’ Battery, 93rd Brigade, Service no. 34659
Killed in action on Wednesday 20th September 1916, aged 23
Story
Maurice was the youngest child of Thomas Colley and Ann Elizabeth Ballance, 19 Glencoe Terrace, Station Road, Kippax. His brothers Ernest and Herbert also enlisted. Before the war, he worked at Allerton Pit as a haulage man. Before his death, Maurice sent a letter to Mr William Bellerby who ran the Soldiers and Sailors Comforts Club, which collected food, cigarettes and chocolate, packed them into parcels and sent them to the soldiers serving overseas. The letter said, “I think the old village did well in answering the call but I do think we could have done better. We have come out to fight a strong nation but we mean to win before we finish with them. I sincerely hope that all connected with the club will live long and see the gallant lads march back with the Union Jack still flying on top of all.”
‘A’ Battery 93rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery
The 93rd brigade was part of the 20th Light Division and was one of the units engaged in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette from 15th to 22nd September 1916. The battle was significant in that it was the first time Tanks were used in action (below); it also marked the debut of the Canadian and New Zealand Divisions on the Somme battlefield. On the opening day of the battle, Raymond Asquith, son of the British Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith, was killed whilst Harold Macmillan, a future Prime Minister, was seriously injured. Maurice was killed during the course of the battle. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. His name appears on the pier and face 1a and 8a.
Kippax Roll of Honour 