Colin Rae 1878 - 1917

Colin Rae on Tyne-Cot memorial
(CWGC)
Colin Rae
(Cambridge Independent Press)

Colin was born in Cambridge on 31 May 1878, the sixth son of James & Mary Ann (nee Wisbey) of Harston. His mother died in 1887 and his father married her sister, Louisa. His parents moved to ‘Redville’, 143 High Street, Harston, in 1907 but it is uncertain whether Colin ever lived here

He had travelled to South Africa as a Clothiers Assistant in December 1900, working there in the Civil Service Stores but also joining the South African Volunteers in the Boer War. He returned to UK in 1912 working in a London outfitters.

In 1916 he enlisted at Mill Hill with the 12th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. Between 20 – 28 September, the battalion was in action during the Battle of Menin Road (3rd Battle of Ypres – Passchendaele). On 25 September they were caught in fierce fighting in Polygon Wood. Colin was killed in action on that day – one of 44 killed.

His death was reported in the Cambridge Independent Press on 2 November 1917 and a photograph printed on 7 December.

He is commemorated at the Tyne Cot War Cemetery, Zonnebeke, Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen), Belgium. panel 86-88

 

This page was added on 08/11/2018.

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