Walter George Collins

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sat, 05/12/2015 - 14:14

First Name:

Walter

Middle Name:

George

Last Name:

Collins

Date of Birth:

Friday, February 19, 1897

Mother's Name:

Mary Elizabeth Collins nee Weik

Father's Name:

Joseph Collins

Date Enlisted:

Monday, November 29, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

1st Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Sunday, July 23, 1916

Place of Death:

Pozieres, France

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

Walter Collins (Service No 5065) was born in Nowra, N.S.W. Walter enlisted after taking part in the Waratah March when he was 18 years old, single, and working as a labourer.

Walter embarked from Sydney on board SS Makarini with 16th Reinforcements on 1st April 1916. The troops arrived in Egypt on 2nd May 1916 and Walter was sent on to France on 9th May 1916. He joined 9 Platoon, C Company, 1st battalion, on 23rd June 1916.

In July the 1st Battalion was fighting on the Somme. Walter Collins was near the front at Pozieres when he was buried by a high explosive shell in the trench. By the time he was dug out of the trench he had died. Walter was buried in the vicinity of Casualty Corner at the time but his grave was lost in later fighting. His death is recorded as between 22nd and 25th July 1916.

Walter is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneaux, France.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, COLLINS W G