Born in January 1899 Colin was the son of Colin and Annie McMichael, of 32, High St., Bridgnorth in Shropshire. The 1901 census shows two-year-old Colin living at 32 High Street, Bridgnorth with his Aunt Theresa Hudson.  The house features prominently in the family’s history as Colin senior’s parents lived there from at least 1841 running a Grocery business. Colin’s grandfather, Joseph Wyld McMichael, was Mayor of Bridgnorth in 1867 so the family were obviously of high standing in the community, having been in the area since at least 1779. The 1901 census shows Colin’s parents as visitors to the Avenue Hotel in London. They are listed as Grocers working on their own account, so they are obviously following the family business. There is no indication as to whether they are just visiting London, are on business or working there full time.  The 1911 telephone directory shows the McMichael family still living at 32 High Street.  Colin joined the Prep School at Bridgnorth Grammar on the 4th May 1904 and left on the 4th December 1914. The School records note that he went to work as a Bank Clerk, which he did at Lloyds in Shipston.   Colin enlisted in Bridgnorth in 1917 and served with the 1st/14th (County of London) Battalion TF (London Scottish). The Battalion had been in France since the 16th September 1914, but Colin went much later, probably as a replacement for soldiers killed or wounded the German Spring offensive in 1918.  The British began their big push back on the 8th August 1918 at Amiens. On the 26th August 1918 the London Scottish were involved in the Battle of the Scarpe when Colin was badly burned by a gas shell.  Colin died of wounds in the UK on the 6th September 1918. On the 7th September the Bridgnorth Journal reported his death and on the 14th included the following report of his funeral, which took place on the 10th September: Tuesday last the funeral of Pte. Colin John Wyld McMichael, whose death was announced in our columns last week, took place at Bridgnorth Cemetery amidst every token of sorrow and respect. The deceased was the elder son of Mr and Mrs Colin McMichael, of High Street, Bridgnorth. He was educated at Bridgnorth Grammar School, and on leaving he took up banking as a profession, entering Lloyds Bank in Shipston-on-Stour. In 1917 he joined the Army and was attached to the London Scottish Regiment, with which he trained for some time at Winchester, eventually going to France. He had seen a good deal of fighting in the recent “push” and was reported seriously wounded by gas shell on August 23rd. On being brought to England he was admitted to the Bevan Military Hospital, Sandgate, where he lay for some days  (his mother being in attendance on him all the while).  Although   everything was done to alleviate   his suffering he passed away yesterday (Friday) week. The body was brought to Bridgnorth on Monday and conveyed to his late home, the interment taking place on Tuesday. The coffin was covered in the Union Jack, and was conveyed on a wheel-bier to the Cemetery. A detachment of Bridgnorth Grammar School Cadets, in command of Capt. The Rev. H.V. Dawes, preceded the coffin. Lieut. S. Gadsby, of the Worcester Regiment and Lieut. Pee also joined the Cadets. Many soldiers on leave in the town were anxious to pay their last respects to their dead comrade and lined portions    of    the    route    to     the Cemetery. Amongst the bearers was Mr. E. Ridley (an old schoolmate), Prebendary W. G. Clark-Maxwell, Rector of St. Leonard’s, conducted the service.  The mourners were Mr Colin McMichael (father), Mr. Stuart McMichael (brother), Mr. Hudson (grandfather), Mr D. McMichael (uncle), Mr Steward, Mr F. S. Wilson (representative of Lloyds Bank). Those assembled at the church and at the graveside included Mr W.T. Gadsby, Mr E.T. Burton, Mr Williams, Mr J. Turton-Smith, Mr C. Cook, Mr Evan Ridley, Lieut. Geo. Ridley, Sergt. Turner, M.G.C., and Mr W. Lloyd. Floral tributes were sent by the following:- “Daddy, Mother and Stuart;” Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Katie; All at Fairfield, Alvechurch; A.T. and A.N.; Uncle Charlie and Auntie Lottie; Uncle Charlie and Mabel (Hoylake); Auntie Annie, Charlie and Flo (Croydon); Ted, May, Archie and Iris (Croydon); Lieut. Hanlon and Maudie; Sister Mumford (Commandant of Bevan Hospital, Sandgate); Sister Gill; Dorothy and Arthur; Mr and Mrs Steward and family; Dorothy, Jack and Charlie; Gunner Albert Banks; Mr And Mrs Kelly; Mr And Mrs Jemmett; Doris and Tessie; Mr And Mrs W.T. Gadsby; Mr and Mrs A.E. Jones; Capt. W.H. Lloyd; Mr and Mrs C.M. Lloyd; Mrs Gordon Cowan; Mr and Mrs H.V. Eardley; Mrs Leighton and family; Mr and Mrs Williams (Overton), Mr and Mrs S. Fox (Eudon), Mr and Mrs Dowman, Mr and Mrs Geo. Mellings, Mr and Mrs G. Smith; Mr and Mrs Hines, Mr and Mrs Webb, Fan and Loo, Mrs and Miss Price, Mrs Holliday and Lily, Miss Stevenson, Mr and Mrs H.L. Pemberton, Mr J. Tyler, Dr and Mrs Craig, Mr and Mrs Roach and family, Mr and Mrs Whitefoot, Mr and Mrs E.T. Burton and family, Mr and Mrs A.G. Lloyd and family, Lieut. And Mrs F.R.Cooksey, Lieut. P.F. Davies (Piff), Mr and Mrs Page (Middleton), Mr and Mrs Page (King’s Head), Masters and Scholars of the Bridgnorth Grammar School. He is buried in the Bridgnorth Cemetery and is remembered on the Bridgnorth and Shipston Town Memorials.

Mike Wells