Born in Essendon, Melbourne, Victoria and a Hairdresser by Occupation, Henry William Colthurst was 21 years and single when enlisted on the 7th of July 1915 in the 13th Light Horse Regiment, 7th Reinforcement, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 1323, and was listed as returned to Australia on the 24th of January 1919. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A40 'Ceramic' on the 23rd of November 1915. Appointed acting Bombardier and posted No. 3 Sector Zeitoun on the 13th of March 1916. Wounded shell attack 22nd Field Artillery Brigade, France on the 11th of December 1916; admitted Cambridge Hospital, England wounded on the 24th of December 1916. Returned to Australia from England per 'Delta' on the 24th of January 1919. Disembarked on the 10th of March 1919 and Discharged from the 3rd Military District on the 24th of April 1919. Tree No. 1627