Doris Clare Colley was born at Wickhamford on 4th November 1909, the younger of two daughters of Charles Henry Colley, a market gardener, and his wife, Rose Ellen (née Huxley). She was baptised at the Church of St John the Baptist, Wickhamford, on 12th December 1909.
In 1910 at the age of eight months, Doris emigrated to Canada with her family. They left Liverpool on 16th July on Dominion, belonging to the White Star Steamship Line, bound for Quebec. At the time of the 1911 Canadian census they were living in Minnedosa, Manitoba. Her 17-year-old cousin, Vincent, had recently emigrated to Canada and was living with them.
At the time of the 1916 census in June, they were living at 345 Mountain Avenue, Marquette, Manitoba, her father employed as a worker in a railway shop. By December of that year they were living at 369 Elgin Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, when her father joined the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force.
At the time of the 1921 census, Doris was living with her mother and sister at 643 Notre Dame, Winnipeg. It is not known where Harry was and it is thought that her parents may have separated.
Doris’ whereabouts after this are unknown.