Colin Gregson

GREGSON, Colin- – – – SPC 1910-1911

DoB:– – c1895, Auckland, NZ

Father:– – L S Gregson

Mother:

Service No:– 561

Rank:– – Private

Unit:- – 8th Battalion

Colin Gregson enlisted at the age of 19, on 18 August 1914. He was a single man, five feet 11 inches tall, with a dark complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. He gave his occupation as an apprentice motor mechanic, and a cinema operator.

Private Gregson embarked at Melbourne aboard the Benalla on 19 October 1914. He was one of those involved in the initial landing at Gallipoli on 25 April. He was evacuated to Heliopolis suffering from severe deafness due to the loud artillery. It was recommended that he return to Australia, but he refused to go. He went back to the Dardanelles and was shot in the arm. After some time in hospital in Malta, he again went back to the front and was shot in the head. He was evacuated to hospital in Cairo.

In total, Private Gregson spent four traumatic months in Turkey. The medical report stated that due to his deafness in both ears, he -‘cannot hear orders, though is still anxious to return to the front’.

Back in Australia, Colin Gregson’s father had received word of his son’s death. After a lot of correspondence between Colin’s father and the war department, he was reassured that his son was indeed still alive. What a harrowing time that must have been for the family. Private Gregson returned to Australia aboard the Ulysses on 5 February 1916, and discharged on 28 March.

The College has been unable to trace Colin Gregson’s movements after he returned to Australia.