Pte Frederick Colley, 11th Northumberland Fusiliers, Miraculous escape

[dlh4042]

During the course of my research on the 11th Northumberland Fusiliers I came across the following

The war diary entry for 17th January 1916:

"Our artillery cut enemy's wire opposite I.20.2 between 10.30am and 12.15pm - considerable damage was observed - enemy retaliated on rear of I.26.5 and top end of PARK ROW AVENUE. Pte Colley of A Coy while aiming through loophole in I.26.5 had a German bullet shot clean down the barrel of his rifle - the ????? and bolt were only slightly damaged and the man although knocked off firestep was practically uninjured - about 7.35pm enemy pumped around 20 large shells in to ARMENTIERS and at 8.35pm some went over to ERQUINGHEM - two men of D Coy were wounded in salient getting over parapet to listening post."

The war diary also includes the following report by Colonel E G Caffin, the battalions CO:

"No.11/14061 Pte. F.Colley, of "A" Company, 11th Northumberland Fusiliers, while aiming through a loop-hole in the parapet of Trench I.26.5 had a German bullet shot clean down the barrel of his rifle before he had fired his own round. The man, although knocked off the fire step was practically uninjured.

The bolt mechanism of the rifle was intact. There is an obstruction in the barrel, presumably the two bullets. The brass case of the cartridge is in the chamber, the end being driven out and ground to powder, a great deal of which was ingrained on the head of the bolt. It is presumed that the bolt head was driven back sufficiently to allow the escape of the gas."

Pte, 14061, Frederick Colley, A Coy 11th NF

I have found little on Frederick Colley beyond this almost miraculous escape, I don't even know which part of the country he came from. The information I have is that he enlisted on 15/09/1914 and was discharged on 24/11/1917. If anyone can shed more light on this man I would be very grateful!

Also if anyone can point me in the direction of a trench map which has the area mentioned in the above diary entry that would be fantastic!

[Colin W Taylor]

dlh

I think someone may have beaten you to it - I thought this sounded familiar.

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=191432&hl=colley

Still a very lucky bloke though.

Kind regards

Colin

[Doug504]

I shoot a 1914 S.M.L.E. on a regular basis and some time ago remember seeing an article in a shooting magazine of a sectioned S.M.L.E. barrel with 5 - 6 bullets firmly wedged in the barrel. Appears the first round miss fired and didn't clear the barrel, subsequent 5 shots, fired in panic I presume, backed up in the barrel. Testament to the strength of Enfield manufacturing that the barrel did not burst. I'll try to hunt out the magazine article complete with photo's and post if possible.

[dlh4042]

Colin,

Thanks for your reply. I really should have searched for him before posting!

Dave