Name
Reginald Percy Collins
27 September 1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/09/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
10054
Royal Irish Fusiliers
9th Bn.
'C' Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DUHALLOW A.D.S. CEMETERY
IX. E. 10.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Baldock Town Memorial, St Mary the Virgin Church Memorial, Baldock
Pre War
Reginald Percy Collins was born in Chatham, Kent on 27 September 1894, the son of William and Isidore Isabella Collins (nee Ritchie), and baptised on 28 October 1894 at Brompton Garrison Church, Medway, Kent. His parents were then living at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Chatham, Kent.
His parents had married in 1889 and on 1891 Census his father was listed as a Battery Sergeant Major with the Royal Artillery and they were living at the Drop Redoubt Fort, at Hougham, nr Dover, Kent.
On the 1901 Census Reginald and brothers William and Cecil were living at The Bell Public House in Studham, Beds where his father was the publican. His mother was not listed with them, but his father's wife was named as Sarah (born in Croydon, Surrey). No death record has been found for his mother Isadore, however an Isadore Ritchie (born in Leigh, Essex) was listed working as a servant at the home of Malcolm and Alice Dring in St James' Court, Westminster, London in 1901.
By the time of the 1911 Census he had enlisted into the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers with the rank of 'Boy', and was living at St Lucia Barracks, Bordon, Hampshire.
Wartime Service
He was already a serving solder at the outbreak of war, having enlisted in Dublin and joined Princess Victoria's Regiment (Royal Irish Fusiliers), arriving in France on 22 August 1914, probably with the 1st Battalion. At some point he was promoted to Corporal (shown as Acting Sergeant on medal index cards) and served with the 9th Battalion.
He was killed in action on 30 September 1918 during operations near the Menin Road, Ypres, and is buried in Duhallow ADS Cemetery, Belgium.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £25 and pay owing of £14 15s 1d. He also received a pension of 10 shillings per week in respect of Reginald and his brother William who served with the Royal Field Artillery and died in 1915.
His father later lived at 29 Pembroke Road, Baldock, Herts.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson, www.longlongtrail.co.uk., www.northirishhorse.com.au
