Pte 26199 John Wilfred Collins

• Age: 28
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Sunday 24th December 1916
• Commemorated at: Warlincourt Halte Brit Cem
  Panel Ref: IV.E.6

John Wilfrid Collins was born in 1889 in Liverpool,  the son of John Ashurst Collins and his wife Mary Agnes (nee Graham). His parents married in 1882.  

He has the correct name John Wilfrid, aged 12, on the 1901 census at 51 Horne St, Everton.

His father, John, is 41 years of age and a contractors time keeper born in Birkenhead, his mother, Mary Agnes is 42 years old and was born in Liverpool. His siblings are recorded as; Francis Graham 17 apprentice wood turner, Dorothy 14 apprentice dressmaking, Leo 10, Cyril 8,  and Ruth 6. 

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 31 Breckfield Road South, Liverpool.

His father John is now aged 51, born 1860 and occupation Auctioneers assistant, whilst his mother, Mary Agnes, is aged 52. They have been married for 29 years and have six children. Those listed on the Census are; Dorothy aged 24, born 1887 and is employed as a boot factors assistant,  John Wilfrid aged 22 born 1889 is a stationers assistant, Leo aged 20, born 1891 is a confectioners assistant, Cyril aged 18, born 1893 is a junior clerk and Ruth aged 16, born 1895 is a clerk. Francis Graham the eldest son born in 1884 is living at 15 Minera St Everton Liverpool, at the time of the Census.

John married Elizabeth Ellen Mather of Birkenhead in the third quarter of 1915. She was born in 1886 in Birkenhead and was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann Mather of 28 Rodney Street Tranmere (1911 Census). His wife was known as Nellie and lived at 30 Rodney Street, Birkenhead. They had one child, Joan Winifred Collins born in the March quarter of 1917. Sadly, John died without ever having seen his child.  
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He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 26199 when he died of wounds on 24th December 1916, aged 28.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 20th January 1917:

Private W. J. Collins of the King's (Liverpool Regiment) has died of wounds received in action. Previously to joining the army he was for many years with B. Haram and Co. Birkenhead and Liverpool the "Birkenhead and Cheshire Advertiser" His home was at 60, Maybank-road, Birkenhead.   

He now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery in France where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"THIS ONLY I BEG OF THEE, THAT THOU REMEMBER MY SOUL AT THE ALTAR OF GOD"

The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from other smaller cemeteries.

The cemetery now contains 1,266 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 29 German and two French war graves.

The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.

The CWGC have his name as Wilfred John Collins. 

Soldiers Effects to widow Elizabeth E., Pension to Elizabeth E. and child Joan Winifred

He is listed in "The Fallen Heroes of 1917" in the Birkenhead News 09th January 1918. 

His mother requests details of a friend of John Wilfrid referred to as Charlie in the Liverpool Echo on 11th January 1918, 

WANTED - Address of PRIVATE BRETHERTON of the KLR, friend of Private W.J.Collins (Charlie), No. 26199 - Inquirer Mrs Collins, 80 Maybank Rd, Tranmere, Birkenhead. 

We currently have no further information on John Wilfrid Collins, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.