Collins, William Charles (2161)

Place of Birth: Port Melbourne, VIC

Age: 18 years 6 months

Enlistment Details: Wednesday, 12 April 1916 – Melbourne, VIC

Service Number: 2161            view online service record

Address:
145 Cruikshank Street
Port Melbourne, VIC

Next of Kin:
Thomas Collins (father)
145 Cruikshank Street
Port Melbourne, VIC

Embarkation Details:
Date: Wednesday, 16 August 1916
Ship: RMS Orontes
Port: Melbourne, VIC
Unit: 46th Infantry Battalion – 4th Reinforcements

Fate:
KIA: Wednesday, 11 April 1917
Place: France

Brother: John Ernest Collins

Private, 46 Infantry, killed in action, 11 April, 1917, age 18, France, commemorated Queant Road Cemetery, Buissy, France.

Parents: Thomas and Mrs Eliza Jane COLLINS, born Port Melbourne, educated SS, family in McCormack Street (woodyard). He enlisted as an 18-year-old farmer with father at 145 Cruikshank Street, circular returned by mother from same address. It was also shown as the location of the sister of 1679, Frederick Patrick MORRIS, killed in action 3 November, 1916. A married brother, 4387, John Ernest “Jack” COLLINS enlisted from 143 Pickles Street. A Death Notice, Port Melbourne Standard, 22 December, 1917 had two other brothers and five sisters.

Additional research by Brian Membrey

1917 ‘KILLED IN ACTION.’, Port Melbourne Standard (Vic. : 1914 – 1920), 22 December, p. 2. , viewed 30 Nov 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88369411