May 22, 1895

Born in Somerset, England to Eric and Mary (nee Barker) Collins

Sep 31, 1916

Attached to the 39^th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling

Jun 13, 1913

Embarked the SS Corinthian in Plymouth

Jun 25, 1913

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Lyndhurst, Ontario to live with his brother

Dec 11, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59188 (temporary number 1156)

Ø  Next of kin given as William J. Collins, brother, Erinsville, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to the Depot Company

o   Later posted to 11 Platoon, “C” Company

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

Jan 18, 1915

Admitted to the Kingston Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Inflamed Tonsils

Jan 25, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Jan 10, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Influenza and placed in the Divisional Rest Station

Jan 17, 1916

Transferred to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance for eye treatment

Jan 18, 1916

Transferred to the No. 4 Stationary Hospital in St. Omer, France with a diagnosis that reads Hyper Astigmatism

Jan 19, 1916

Proceeded to the base at Arques, France, south of St. Omer

Jan 22, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital and reported to the base depot in Havre

Mar 3, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Collins rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Ridgewood, Belgium

Jun 26, 1916

While in the front line trenches near Verbrande Molen, Belgium on the Ypres Salient, the battalion came under an enemy artillery barrage.  Private Collins received shrapnel wounds and suffered a concussion.  As a result, he became affected by Shell Shock and was evacuated to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid.  He was transferred to the No. 3 Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre

Jun 28, 1916

Transferred via the No. 1 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne, France

Jul 4, 1916

Transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne

Jul 21, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the base depot in Havre and classified TB meaning he was temporarily fit for duty at a base unit only

Jul 29, 1916

Medical Board changes his classification to “C” meaning he was no longer fit for combat service and he was invalided to England

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre)

Aug 3, 1916

Attached to the 39^th Reserve Battalion

Dec 11, 1916

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Jan 4, 1917

Attached to the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling.  Shortly after the formation of the battalion, it moved to Seaford to train reinforcements for the front

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposed, but remained attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion

Apr 18, 1917

Transferred to the permanent staff of the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Jun 15, 1917

Admitted to the Military Hospital in Warlingham with a diagnosis that reads Gonorrhea and Syphilis

Oct 2, 1917

Transferred to the EORD for pay purposes while in hospital

Oct 26, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Epsom

Nov 2, 1917

Discharged from hospital and attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) for physical training. 

May 24, 1918

Admitted to the No. 11 Canadian General Hospital, Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe with a diagnosis that reads Multiple Boils.  These boils were lanced several times while here to allow drainage

Jun 12, 1918

Patient complained of pains in abdomen and tremors.  This was determined to be symptoms of Shell Shock

Jun 20, 1918

Discharged to duty from hospital

Mar 4, 1919

Admitted to the Canadian Hospital in Etchinghill, Lyminge with a diagnosis that reads Gonorrhea.  Part of his treatment resulted in a Circumcision

Mar 26, 1919

Attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford for pay purposes while in hospital

Apr 24, 1919

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

May 26, 1919

Medical Board at Seaford notes

Ø  Suffers from Hypermetropic Astigmatism since prior to enlistment

Ø  His glasses were shattered in 1916 when he was wounded, but his pleas to have them replaced have been ignored

Ø  Suffers from vertigo and sees stars

Ø  Has tremors in his hands

Ø  Board recommends he be returned to Canada for discharge

Jun 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Aquitania in Southampton

Jun 19, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Montreal, Quebec where he was Taken On Strength District Depot No. 4 Dispersal Station “E”

Jun 22, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Montreal, Quebec

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 301773

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge c/o Mrs. Hobson, Sweetsburg, Quebec

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Box 93, Cowansville, Quebec

Feb 16, 1977

Francis Henry Collins died of cancer while a patient  in the Shaughnessy Hospital,  Vancouver, British Columbia.  His remains were cremated and placed in the  Victory Memorial Park, Surrey, British Columbia

The Vancouver Sun, February 18, 1977