Moreton John Godden COLYER [19360]

  General Notes:

Moreton attended Sydney Grammer School
COLYER MORTON JOHN GODDEN age 9 H C COLYER 355 LIVERPOOL ST JAN 1881 DEC 1883
COLYER MORETON JOHN G age 13 H C COLYER LIVERPOOL ST DARLINGHURST JAN 1885
COLYER MORETON JOHN G age 16 H C COLYER CELINTON 355 LIVERPOOL ST DARLINGHURST FEB 1888 APR 1889
file:///C:/Users/Edward/Downloads/SGSLiberNominum1857-1913.pdf

Then attended Sydney University and received mechanical training at the Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops NSW 1889 - 1893, studied Civil Engineering 1893 - 1896 graduated Batchelor of Civil Engineering 18th April 1896. He then gained practical experience in surveying and was working for the Public Works Department, Western Australian in February 1898 when he was admitted an Associate Member of the UK Institution of Civil Engineers

In 1903 Moreton is recorded on the NSW Public Service List as working as an a professional engineer for NSW Railways having started with the Service in 1899 as a surveyor then a draftsman. His salary was L250.0.0 p.a.

Enlisted WWI 9 June 1915.
Served as Captain in Egypt, France and Gallipoli
B.E., Assoc.M.Inst.C.E. : Captain, 7th Infantry Brigade, A.I.F., Egypt, Gallipoli and France; also Tsingtao Expeditionary Force, North China. Volunteering in China on the outbreak of War as Captain, Australian Intelligence Corps, was attached to British Forces at Tientsin from 13th August, 1914, as War Correspondent for a short period and later on Staff Duty till wounded at Shia Tuan Ving, 5 th November. After the fall of Tsingtao returned to Australia and, re-Enlisting 9th June, 1915, was staff-captain 7th Infantry Brigade, attached to C.R.E., Cairo District. In March, 1916, transferring to command 13th Field Coy. Engineers, crossed to France in June and served there till 19th August, returning in December. A.M.F. : Lieutenant, Australian Intelligence Corps, 1910-14. Professor of Engineering, Changsha University. Early education at Sydney Grammar School. Later one year in Arts after apprenticeship at Eveleigh Railway Workshops.
Ref: http://beyond1914.sydney.edu.au/profile/2677/moreton-john-godden-colyer

Moreton wrote an interesting letter on 22 Apr 1916 to the C.D.E. 4th Australian Div setting out his service in the siege of the German Port of Tsingtao China, where he was lightly wounded in the face when British & Japanese forces captured the port from the Germans. Evidently he had been offered a medal for this by the Japanese, the Decoration of the Rising Sun, but had returned to Australia before it was awarded. He was seeking it but was advised by the War Office 31 May 1916 that "no such recomendation was ever considered or submitted"
This must have been a disappointment to Moreton as he believed others he served with did receive it.

Australian Officers Story.
Captain M. J. C. Colyer, a Sydney native, and formerly an officer of the Australian Intelligence Corps, who was attached to the British Tsing-Tao Expeditionary Force, was a passenger by the Taiyuan, which has arrived in Sydney. Capt Colyer, who left Sydney about 18 Months ago, to take the position of Prof of Engineering at the Changaha University, joined the British garrison under Brigadier General Barnadiston at Tienfsin. The British force left Wei-hai-wei on September 21, and next day arrived at Laoahan Bay, where an enormous force of the Allies transports and men-of-war were gathered. On September 27 the force advanced to Luting, where the first exciting incident took place. A supply column instead of taking a road to the east and then the south - which would have brought it behind a line of hills - advanced due south along the road. After the column had been in sight of the sea for some time the sergeant-major raised his glasses to examine what he thought was a small tug, and as he did so there was a puff of smoke and a shell fell practically at his feet. Immediately he gave the column orders to scatter and the drivers to retreat. The German gunboat had got the range accurately, but had miscalculated the speed at which frightened mules can travel. Then shells followed, but kept on clearing the tail of the column by a few yards. In the meantime a party of Tommies got away into the hills, missed the road, and ran into some Japanese, who at first mistook them for Germans, one man in consequence being severely peppered. The force remained at Wangchiachun, about 5 miles north-east of the forts on Iltis Hill until October 11. The German cannonading was incessant. In 24 hours, for example, the Tsing-Tao forts fired by actual count 2015 shells without however a single result. The Japanese were splendid soldiers and one could have no other feeling but that of warm admiration for the manner in which they had fought at Tsing-Tao, which was a very difficult position indeed to take. When the Allied forces marched into Tsing-Tao a high German official spat in front of General Barnardiston, and another had made a most offensive gesture. Their hatred for the British was intense.
Ref: Trove Daily Herald Adelaide 8 January 1915 page 6.

See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Tsingtao

First World War Embarkation Rolls:
Moreton John Godden Colyer
Rank: Staff Captain
Roll title: 7 Infantry Brigade Headquarters (June 1915
Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918
Ship embarked on: HMAT Ascanius A11

Capt Collier (sic) manager of Gocup Estate met with an accident on Saturday. His thumb was crushed to a pulp by a heavy piledriver, whilst Capt Collier was engaged superintending the erection of a culvert. He was brought to the Tumut Hospital where Dr Browne amputated the thumb.
Ref: Albury Banner and Wodonga Express NSW Friday 5 April 1918

In a letter dated 14 March 1929 Moreton mentions that he is a member of the British Astronomical Association

In 1937 Moreton was living with his family in Gocup Tumit NSW.

Sydney University
BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE ENTRY
Early education at Sydney Grammar School in NSW, Australia
Studied Bachelor of Engineering at University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia.
His file is to be found on

Ref: Series 328019
THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me MORETON JOHN GODDEN COLYER of Killara in the
State of New South Wales Gentlemen.
1. I REVOKE all wills and testamentary disposition by me heretofore made and declare this to be my last will and Testament.
2. I APPOINT PERPETUAL TRUSTEE COMPANY (LIMITED) (hereinafter called the TrCapt CallieruCaptstee) to be the
executor and trustee of this my will.
3. I GIVE free of all duties to my wife AIMEE HELEN COLYER all articles and effects of personal domestic or household use ornament or consumption belonging to me.
4. I GIVE free of all duties to my friend EDMOND OSBORNE MILNE a legacy of one hundred pounds.
5, SUBJECT to the preceding trusts and provisions of this my will I GIVE DEVISE AND BEQUEATH the rest and residue of my estate of whatsoever nature and wheresoever situate unto my Trustees UPON TRUST to sell call in and convert into money the same at such time or times and in such manner as they shall think fit (but as to reversionary property not until it falls into possession unless it should appear to my trustees that an earlier ,sale would be beneficial) with power to postpone the sale calling in or conversion of the whole or any part or parts thereof (including leaseholds or other property of a terminable hazardous or wasting nature) during such period as they shall think proper and to retain the same or any part thereof in its present form of investment without being responsible
(MORETON COLYER, R.C.Osborne, M.Calder)
for loss AND I DIRECT that the income of such of the same premises as for the time being shall remain unsold shall as well during the first year after my death as afterwards be applied as if the same were income arising from the investments hereinafter directed to be made of the proceeds of sale thereof and that no reversionary or other property not actually producing income shall be treated as producing income for the purposes of this my Will Provided that my Trustee shall not during the joint lifetime of my said wife and my daughter JEAN GODDEN COLYER sell my messuage and premises known as No 23 Wattle Street Killara without the consent of my said daughter.
6. I DIRECT MY Trustees to stand possessed of the moneys to arise from such sale calling in and conversion and any moneys of which I shall die possessed UPON TRUST to pay my funeral and Testamentary expenses and all Probate Death Estate Succession Legacy and other duties whatsoever payable out of my estate by reason or in consequence of my death or that may be payable in respect of property deemed by Statutory enactment or other operation of law to be notionally included in my estate (without liability for any person to contribute to such duties in respect of any such notional property) and my debts and the legacies given by this my will or any codicil hereto and to stand possessed of the balance of the said moneys and all parts of my estate for the time being unsold or unconverted (all of which are hereinafter referred to as my residuary Estate) upon the trusts hereinafter declared concerning the same
7. MY Trustees shall pay the income of my residuary estate to my said wife during her life.
8. After the death of my said wife my trustees shall stand possessed of my residuary estate upon trust to pay
(MORETON COLYER, Witnesses: R.C.Osborne, M.Calder)
thereout the sum of two thousand pounds to my said daughter PROVIDED THAT in lieu of the said sun of two thousand pounds my said daughter may if the same shall not have been previously sold as aforesaid at her option require my Trustee to transfer or otherwise vest in her absolutely my said messuage and premises known as No 23 Wattle Street Killara and subject thereto my Trustee shall stand possessed of my residuary estate IN TRUST for my son MICHAEL HARVEY COLYER and my said daughter in equal shares as tenants in common.
9. I Declare as follows:- (i) That there shall be no apportionment at my death or at the death of my said wife of any rents dividends or other receipts in the nature of income and that all such receipts (including any which may cover a period wholly or partially prior to my death or the death of my said wife) shall be treated as if the some had accrued after the date of death (ii) That my Trustee may determine whether any moneys are to be treated as capital or income and whether and (sic) expenses outgoings or other payments ought to be paid out of capital or income and may apportion blended funds and determine a11 questions and matters of doubt arising in the execution of the trusts of this my Will or any Codicil hereto and every such determination whether made upon a question actually raised or implied in the acts or proceedings of my Trustee shall be conclusive end binding on all persons claiming hereunder,. (iii) That all moneys liable to be invested under the trusts hereof may be invested in any one ore (sic) more of the in- vestments following that is to say: (a) In any of the modes of investment for the time being authorised by law for the investment of trust funds
(MORETON COLYER, witnesses; R.C.Osborne, M.Calder)
(b) In any of the Modes of investment in which any portion of my estate may be invested at the time of my death. (c) In the purchase of freehold or other land situate in the Commonwealth of Australia Including land of any tenure held under any Statute or Ordinance of the said Commonwealth or any State thereof relating to the sale lease occupation^- or settlement of land. (d) In the purchase of the Shares or Debentures or Debenture Stock of any Bank or Banking Company or/of any other Company carrying on business in the Commonwealth of Australia or elsewhere whether there is or is not a liability in respect of any such shares and whether the registered office of any such Bank or Banking Company or other Company is or is not within the Commonwealth of Australia.(e) On fixed Deposit in any Bank or Banking Company carrying on business in the said Commonwealth.
IN WITNESS whereof I have set my hand to this my Will contained on this and the three preceding sheets of paper this twenty-first day of April one thousand nine hundred and forty two.

MORETON COLYER.
SIGNED AND ACKNOWLEDGED by the said MORETON JOHN GODDEN COLYER the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present with him who at his request in his sight and presence and in the sight and presence of each other all being present at the same time do hereunto subscribe our names as Witnesses:
R.C.Osborne Solicitor M.Calder, Clerk to Dibbs Crowther & Osborne, Sols. Sydney.

THIS IS A CODICIL TO THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me MORETON JOHN GODDEN COLYER of Killara in the State of New South Wales Gentleman which Will is dated the twenty first day of April one thousand nine hundred and forty two WHEREAS since the date of my said will my beloved son Captain Michael Harvey Colyer has been killed in action whilst serving in the Middle East with the Australian Imperial Force and in consequence thereof I make the following alterations to my said Will:-
1. I DECLARE that the following clause shall be substituted for Clause 8 of my said Will:- AFTER the death of my said wife my Trustees shall stand possessed of my residuary estate upon the trusts following
(a) During the life of my said daughter my Trustees shall pay the income of my residue estate to her and so that during coverture the same shall be without power of anticipation
(b) After the death of my said daughter my Trustees shall hold my residuary estate and the future income thereof IN TRUST for all or such one or more exclusively of the others or other of the children or remoter issue of my said daughter in such shares and in such manner as my said daughter shall by deed or will appoint and in default of and subject to any appointment IN TRUST for all or any the children or child of my said daughter who shall be living at my death or born afterwards and who being male attain the age of twenty one years or being female attain that age or marry and if more than one in equal shares
PROVIDED THAT no child of my said daughter who or whose Issue shall take any part of my residuary estate under any (MORETON COLYER, R.C.Osborne, M. Calder)
appointment by virtue of the power hereinbefore contained shall in default of appointment to the contrary be entitled to any share of the unappointed part thereof without bringing the share or shares appointed to him or her or to his or her issue into hotchpot and accounting for the same accordingly.
(a) If the trusts hereinbefore declared concerning my residuary estate shall fail then subject to the trusts powers and provisions herein declared and contained and to the powers by law vested in my trustees concerning the same and to every or any exercise of such respective powers my trustees shall hold my residuary estate IN TRUST for such person or persons for such purposes and in such manner in all respects as my said daughter shall by will or Codicil appoint AND IN DEFAULT off and subject is such appointment IN TRUST for the University of Sydney for the benefit of the Physics Laboratory thereof in such manor in all respects as the Governing body of the said University shall from time to time determine AND I DECLARE that the receipt of the Registrar or other proper officer of the said University shall be a complete discharge to my Trustees.
IN WITNESS whereof I have set my hand to this Codicil to my will contained on this and the preceeding sheet of paper this twenty second day of January one thousand nine hundred and forty three.
MORETON COLYER
SIGNED AND ACKNOWLEDGED by the said MORETON JOHN GODDEN COLYER the Testator as and for a Codicil to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present with him who at his request in his sight and presence and in the sight and presence of each other all being present at this same time do hereunto subscribed (sic) our names as witnesses;-R.C. OSBOURNE, Solicitor, Sydney. M Calder, Clerk to Dibbs Crowther & Osborne, Solrs, Sydney.

7th July 1947. On this date Probate of the last Will and Codicil of the above named deceased was granted to PERPETUAL TRUSTEE COMPANY (LIMITED) the sole executor named in the said will. TESTATOR died on the 25th January, 1947. ESTATE SWORN at the sum of L15,407. 16. 7. nett.
Ref: Findmypast 2015.

NSW State Records
Moreton John Godden Colyer
Date of Death 25/01/1947
Probate granted on 07/07/1947
Series 4-328019
Access 5 years from grant of probate
Western Sydney Records Centre, Kingswood.

  Research Notes:

Moreton's Military Records: http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/
SearchNRetrieve/Gallery151/dist/JGalleryViewer.aspx?B=3274322&S=30&N=133#/SearchNRetrieve/NAAMedia/ShowImage.aspx?B=3274322&T=P&S=1

  Other Records

1. Moreton John Godden Colyer: Some images from his life.
Moreton as a younger man, taken in Melbourne; Moreton's admittance as an Associate Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, London, 5 May 1897; Taken to be an image of Officers & N.C.O.s of the 7th Infantry Brigade A.I.F at a training school for WWI, probably in Australia, before embarkation for Europe. Moreton is 4th from left in second row with a swagger stick; Attestation Paper for 4th Div Engineers A.I.F. 18 Dec 1916;

Moreton married Aimee Helen GORDON [19388] [MRIN: 4855], daughter of Samuel GORDON [10490] and Annie FRAZER [21525], on 22 Oct 1912 in Gocup House Tumut NSW. (Aimee Helen GORDON [19388] was born on 15 Jul 1883 in St Kilda Melbourne.)