Name
Henry James Collins
10 February 1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/07/1917
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
30774
Royal Field Artillery
71st Bde.
'C' Bty.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BRANDHOEK NEW MILITARY CEMETERY
II. B. 13.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Ashwell memorials
Pre War
Henry James Collins was born on 10 February 1896 in Camberwell, Southwark, London, the son and youngest child of Henry James and Elizabeth Jane Collins (nee Wadham) and was baptised in St Bartholomew's Church, Southwark on 28 February 1896. He was one of five children, but one died in infancy.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at 2 Imperial Buildings, Verney Road, Camberwell where his father was working as a builder's carman. They had moved to 2 Verney Flats, Verney Road, Rotherhithe New Road, Camberwell, by 1911 and his father was again working as a carman.
Henry did not live in Ashwell, but his father became licensee of Chalkman's Knoll, Ashwell in December 1916.
Wartime Service
Henry enlisted in London and served with the Royal Field Artillery, 71st Brigade, C Company, under reg. no. 30774. He initially served in Egypt from 29 December 1915, later being transferred to the Western Front.
He was killed in action on 30 July 1917 at Ypres when German shells fell amongst their guns. His Lieutenant wrote: "German shells began to fall amongst our guns. The officers in charge ordered the men to scatter and almost all escaped, but alas your son was one of two killed. He was taking cover on the right of the battery with another gunner, named Hanson, when the last German shell fell close by and killed both instantaneously. There is nothing that can recompense a mother for the loss of her son, and all I can do I fear is to tell you how deeply I sympathise with you. Collins was one of the gunners of my own section, and I especially chose him because I saw in him a man who was never afraid of work, and always willing to do anything that had to be done and capable moreover of doing it well. He was always ready and cheerful and was liked by everyone in the battery. He has made the supreme sacrifice for King and Country, and I do not think he would have grudged his life."
Henry is buried in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £12 10s and pay owing of £13 17s 6d but no pension records have been found.
The Hertfordshire Express newspaper of 9 September 1917 published an article recording Henry's death. The report also adds that his oldest brother William served and was rendered blind by shrapnel in June 1915,
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, www.ashwellmuseum,org.uk
