Name
Francis Spencer Collin
5 Aug 1882
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/03/1920
34
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
Royal Engineers
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
WEST GRINSTEAD (ST. GEORGE) CHURCHYARD
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Capt and brevet Major, Royal Engineers, served in France 1914-1917 aged 34
UK & Other Memorials
Bengeo School Memorial – Location TBC, Rugby School - Chapel, Rugby Warwickshire
Pre War
Francis Spencer Collin was born on 5th August 1885 and baptised on 8th September 1885 in Calcutta, India, to parents Edward Woodfield and Ellen Julia Maud (nee Drummond). He had one sister Elsie Maud and one brother Edward. His father was an Indian Civil Servant holding the office of Member of the Legislative Council (M.L.C.) Bengal and Secretary of the Board of Revenue, Bengal.
He was educated at Bengeo School and Rugby College. He gained a Second Lieutenant (Royal Engineers) commission dated 5 Sep 1905, Lieutenant 23 Mar 1908. Francis married Bertha Mary Hornung on 20th October 1915 at St Luke’s Church, Chelsea, London. They had two sons Nicholas Spencer Compton, born 21st March 1918 and Francis Spencer Compton born in 1920.
Wartime Service
As a regular soldier and a Lieutenant in 1914 Francis was sent overseas on 27th Sep 1914 to France and the following year promoted to the rank of Captain.
He was serving in France until 1917 and then as Acting Major he spent time at Royal Military College and also in Ireland receiving a further promotion to Brevet Major in 1918.
He contracted Spanish Flu and died in the military hospital at Curragh in County Cork. His body was sent back to England for burial.
Additional Information
His brother Edward served in the 18th Lancers, Indian Army surviving the war.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Ann Hacke, Terry & Glenis Collins
