Name
Percival Collins
18 Aug 1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/10/1916
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
79193
Royal Field Artillery
45th Battery, 42nd Brigade
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
EUSTON ROAD CEMETERY, COLINCAMPS
I. E. 48.
France
Headstone Inscription
ALL NATIONS SHALL SERVE HIM
UK & Other Memorials
Christchurch Memorial, Little Heath, Potters Bar, Little Heath & Bentley Heath Memorial, Potters Bar, All Souls Chapel Book of Remembrance, Potters Bar
Pre War
Percival was born in Upper Gravenhurst, Bedfordshire on 18 Aug 1891 to Alfred Collins, agricultural labourer, and Sarah Rebecca (nee Dennis). On the 1901 Census, the family of parents, Ernest William (born 1887,a stockman’s helper), Percival and Stanley Herbert (born 1899) were living at the Lodge, Leggatts House, North Mimms.
On the 1911 census Percival was a gardener and living with his parents Alfred (now a jobbing gardener and Sarah Rebecca and Stanley Herbert in Upton Road (now Coopers Road, Little Heath, North Mimms.
Wartime Service
Percival attested on 14 Jan 1915 at Edmonton as 79193 for the Royal Artillery. His terms of engagement were for 3 years with Colours and 9 years on Reserve. His occupation was stated as groom. He was posted to 4th Reserve Brigade for his training in the rank of Gunner. Percival went to France landing on 22 Nov 1915. Being posted to 45th Battery, 42nd Brigade on 28 Nov 1915.
This battery was part of the 3rd Division which suggests he was killed in action on 31 Oct 1916 prior to the Battle of Ancre Heights on the Somme.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £8 and arrears of £12 0s 10d was paid to his father.
His father, Mr A Collins, 2, Myrtle Cottages, Cooper's Rd., Little Heath, Potters Bar, Middx. ordered his headstone inscription: "ALL NATIONS SHALL SERVE HIM",
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Martin Cope
