A small notice appeared in the Argus classified advertisements, announcing the unveiling of the Jack Collitt memorial window by Padre Vivian Roy Bradbury MC on Sunday 19 October 1947. Soon after Private Collitt's death a small tribute was inserted in the Argus 'From his fellow craftsmen and his employers Mathieson and Gibson' which suggests that this firm almost certainly made the commemorative window, however no trace of the window has been found.
Jack Bayford Collitt enlisted 'in the field' in Queensland, aged 22, only son of First War veteran, Herbert Bayford Collitt and his wife, Hilda Harriet Louisa of 1565 High Street, Glen Iris, (Vic.). In 37/52 Battialion of the AIF, Private Collitt was accidentally killed in New Britain, 21 May 1945, aged 21. He is remembered at te Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery, New Guinea and for for many years after his death his parents and three sisters inserted 'in memoriam' notices in the press on the anniversary of his death.
References & Acknowledgements
AWM Roll of Honour; AWM Honours and Awards; NAA : B2455, Collitt HB; NAA: B883, VX111942; Argus, 26 May 1945, p.14; 29 May 1945, p.2; 2 June 1945, p.2; 26 July 1945, 18; 21 May 1946, p.2; 21 May 1947, p.9; 18 October 1947, p.23; 21 May 1948, p.2; 21 May 1949, p.14; 20 May 1950, p.11; 21 May 1951, p.15.
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