Name

Herbert Collins.

Description

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Certificate relating to Rifleman Herbert Collins.

Life Story

Name: Herbert Collins.

Service Number: 3962.

Rank: Rifleman.

Battalion: 2nd Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.

Born: 28th November 1896, Belfast.

Died: 8th September 1915.

Address: 76 Pernau Street, Belfast.

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Herbert Collins, son of James and Mary Collins, lived at 76 Pernau Street, Shankill, Belfast

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The 1901 Ireland Census has Herbert living at 49 Carnan Street, Shankill Road, Belfast with his mother, father, occupation, Shoemaker, three sisters, Ema, 21 years, Alice, 15 years, Maudlin, 2 years, three brothers, James, 18 years, Francis, 9 years, Frederick, 6 years

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Herbert's mother died of tuberculosis on the 3rd January 1907.

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The 1911 Ireland Census has Herbert's family now living at 85 Carnan Street, Shankill Road, Belfast

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Herbert joined the Royal Irish Rifles.

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 30th June 1915.

Herbert was a Rifleman in 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed In Action on the 8th September 1915 aged 18 years.

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His Soldiers Effects were left to his sister Alice Skelly, Nee Collins.

His Will holds two letters that states the following.

Robb's Cottage, Knockbracken, Carryduff, Co Down. Susanna Thompson, when I last seen the deceased man Herbert Collins 6th Battalion R.I.Rifles on the 5th April 1915 the statement he made to me in my late residence 21 Crimea St Belfast, when saying good bye to me the words he used he never expected to see me again. I asked him if he had everything made right in case anything would happen to, I also said have you signed your belongings to your father, he said he had not nor his stepmother either for they never done much for him, he said all his belongings was left to his sister Alice Skelly for she was a good kind sister to him and the only one was a friend to him or showed him any kindness, she was the one had the best right to anything he had, my sister Mary Jane Harrison was also present, her address is 23 Dundee St Belfast. This was Signed with her mark X

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Witness, J Milliken, Minister, Woodvale Manse, Belfast.

I beg to say that as far as I know full credit can be given to this statement written in this paper signed by Susanna Thompson affirming her Mark in my presence, signed J Milliken, Woodvale Manse, 15th March 1916

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The second letter states the following, 23 Dundee Street, Belfast, March 30 1916.

Sir I was in Mrs Susanna Thompsons on the 5th April 1915, 21 Crimea Street. I heard Herbert Collins 6/2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, make this statement to Mrs Thompson that he would bid her good bye and he might never see her again. Mrs Thompson said have you all secure, will you leave all to your father. He said I have not, he never done anything for me, nor my stepmother either. I will leave everything to my sister Alice Skelly for she was the only one who showed me any kindness. She is the only one I have any right to leave anything to. I am truly Mrs Mary Jane Harrison

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I beg to state that in my opinion full credit may be given to the ------ statement by Mary Jane Harrison, signed J Milliken, Clergyman, Woodvale Manse, Belfast

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A Pension Application Form shows his stepmother Rachel and father as claimants.

His Dependant Pension Application Forms show his father and stepmother as claimants.

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Herbert received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-1915 Star.

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He is Remembered at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

To Remember Is To Honour

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