Feb 25, 1893

Born in Essex, England

Apr 9, 1909

Embarked the SS Empress of Britain with his parents and sister

Apr 16, 1909

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to London, Ontario

Apr 24, 1915

Attested into the 33^rd Battalion CEF in London, Ontario

Ø  Number 401865

Ø  Next of kin given as Matilda Collings, mother, London, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Railroad Brakeman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Baptist

Ø  Posted to “C” Company

Aug 17, 1915

Embarked the SS Hesperian in Montreal, Quebec with the 33^rd Battalion’s 2^nd Draft

Aug 28, 1915

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Shorncliffe and the draft was absorbed into the 9^th Reserve Battalion

Feb 3, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Feb 5, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Feb 9, 1916

Admitted to the No. 9 Stationary Hospital in Havre with a diagnosis that reads NYD (Not Yet Determined).  Later changed to read VDS (Venereal Disease Syphilis).  This was later noted as Gonorrhea

May 5, 1916

Transferred to the No. 12 Camp in Harfleur

May 7, 1916

After leaving the No. 12 Camp, he joined the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre

May 8, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Collings joined the 21^st Battalion resting in the “B” Camp at La Clytte, Belgium

Aug 20, 1916

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Endocarditis

Aug 21, 1916

Transferred to the No. 12 Canadian Field Ambulance

Aug 22, 1916

Transferred to the No. 13 General Hospital in Boulogne, France and DAH (Disordered Activity of the Heart) was added to the diagnosis

Aug 24, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St Denis

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, Millbank, London

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

Aug 31, 1916

Transferred to the Princess Club Hospital in Bermondsey, London

Sep 26, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bromley

Oct 24, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre in Shoreham

Nov 3, 1916

Attached to the GDD (Garrison Duty Depot) in Shorncliffe for 12 weeks of BD (Base Duty)

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes and remained attached to the duty depot

Mar 21, 1917

Attached to the School of Stenography in Hastings

Apr 25, 1917

Ceased to be attached to the School of Stenography

Sep 18, 1917

Ceased to be attached and reported to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford

Oct 20, 1917

Attached to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

Nov 6, 1917

Embarked the SS Olympic in Liverpool

Nov 14, 1917

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Quebec City

Nov 25, 1917

Medical exam in Quebec City notes

Ø  Man complains of shortness of breath and palpitations on exertion

Ø  A mitral-systolic murmur is present

Ø  Exertion causes a rapid heart rate

Ø  His condition is permanent with a one-fifth disability

Nov 29, 1917

Proceeded to London, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength District Depot No. 1

Granted leave until December 17, 1917

Apr 18, 1918

Transferred to the District Depot No. 1 Casualty Company in London, Ontario

Apr 26, 1918

Attached to the Military District No. 1 Headquarters for pay purposes

Jun 4, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in London, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 494 St. James St., London, Ontario

Following the end of the war, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 327 Bruce Ave., Windsor, Ontario

Jun 30, 1924

Married to Effie Evelyn Ashton in Windsor, Ontario

Feb 23, 1949

William Collings died at his home in London, Ontario of his heart problems and his death was a result of his active service.  A Memorial Cross was issued to his mother, Mrs. Matilda Collings, 480 James St., London, Ontario