Family Information
Eldest son of William and Margaret Collins of 15 South Row, Summerlee, Coatbridge. William made a Will leaving all his property and effects to his mother. From 1901 Census - Address - 8 Low South Row, Summerlee, Coatbridge - William Collins aged 34, Margaret Collins aged 32, Janet Collins aged 9, Mary Collins aged 8, William Collins aged 5 and John Collins aged 3. William's Pension was awarded to his mother Margaret of 11 South Row, Coatbridge on the 22/03/1917.
Additional Information
The Battalion arrived at Zeebrugge on the 07/10/1914 and were part of the 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division when William fell. William arrived in France on the 04/11/1914. Battles of the Somme - The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, 15th - 22nd September 1916 : This was a large-scale general renewal of the offensive after the weeks of attritional fighting for the third German system at Pozieres, High Wood, Delville Wood, Guillemont and Ginchy. It is historically noteworthy for being the first time that tanks were used in battle. Few in number, mechanically unreliable and as yet without proven tactics for their best use, the small numbers of tanks that actually went into action had an important positive effect. High Wood and Delville Wood were finally cleared and a deep advance was made to Flers and towards Combles. The Canadian Corps entered the Somme fighting for the first time. SEE PHOTOS x 9 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY SEPTEMBER 1916. The War Diary on the 17th September lists casualties on the 15th as - Officers Killed 2, Wounded 7, Other Ranks Killed 14, Wounded 118, Missing 23, Died of Wounds 3. William Died of Wounds on the day he received them (24/09/1916). This was the day before the Guards Division took part in the Battle of Morval, 25th - 28th September 1916 : Having broken through the prepared lines of German defence, the British force now faced a new set of challenges as it was now fighting in much flatter, open ground and approached the distant gentle slopes of the Transloy ridges. Fighting was, as before, severe but gradually the British chipped away and pushed forward. The weather began to turn autumnal, bringing rain, making the battlefield increasingly difficult and stretching men to limits of their physical endurance. William is also remembered on the East United Free Church, Maxwell Parish Church and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for William's Medal Index Cards, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, Grove Town British Cemetery, the Scots Guards Cap Badge, William's Pension Record x 2 and his Headstone Report x 2. Williams grave inscription reads "GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN". Also, see photos for Newspaper clippings x 7 (Coatbridge Express x 3, Coatbridge Leader x 2 and Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 2), another photo of William's grave, Poppy Cross placed by myself at William's grave July 2023 x 3 (includes main grave photo), Grove Town British Cemetery taken by myself in July 2023 and 4 Poppy Crosses placed at Grove Town British Cemetery by myself before I went to France July 2023 (William's Cross top left). Finally, SEE PHOTOS x 29 FOR THE GUARDS DIVISION BOOK EARLY SEPTEMBER - 16th SEPTEMBER 1916 and PHOTOS x 9 FOR THE BOOK 17th - 25th SEPTEMBER 1916 and the Guards Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division William was with when he died).
