Name
Frederick Herbert Collier
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/04/1916
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
3481
Royal Fusiliers *1
8th (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VERMELLES BRITISH CEMETERY
11.L.25
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St. Thomas’ Church Memorial, West Hyde
Pre War
Frederick was born on the 23rd of March 1896 and baptised on the 10th of May at West Hyde, the son of James, a Labourer, and Alice (nee Stratfull) Collier.
On both the 1901 and the 1911 censuses they were living with their family at 4 Fishery Cottages, West Hyde, Harefield. Frederick at age 15 was a General Labourer in an Asbestos Mill.
Recorded as enlisting in Uxbridge, Middlesex.
Wartime Service
The 8th Battalion landed in France on the 30th/31st of May 1915 as part of 36th Brigade 12th (Eastern) Division taking part in the Battle of Loos in September. This included operations around the Hohenzollern Redout, a mining area in which both sides made extensive use of underground mine warfare. It was fought over for many weeks and in March 1916 the west side was held by the British and the east by the Germans.
The 8th Battalion was part of an attack which began on the 2nd of March after three mines had been exploded. Their Division remained in action there until relieved on the 26th of April.
Frederick was killed in action on the 11th of April, a day on which the Germans exploded at least one mine.
Additional Information
*1 More correctly (City of London) Bn. London
Regiment (Post Office Rifles).
Acknowledgments
Mike Collins
