Harold COLLINS DCM

COLLINS, Harold

Service Number: 3263
Enlisted: 6 July 1915, Melbourne, Vic.
Last Rank: Lieutenant
Last Unit: 6th Infantry Battalion
Born: Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia, 3 August 1892
Home Town: Fitzroy, Yarra, Victoria
Schooling: Tooronga Road, State School, Malvern, Victoria
Occupation: Stock keeper
Died: Killed In Action, France, 10 August 1918, aged 26 years
Cemetery: Heath Cemetery, Picardie, France
Plot IV, Row D, Grave No. 2
Memorials:
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World War 1 Service

6 Jul 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3263, 5th Infantry Battalion, Melbourne, Vic.
11 Oct 1915: Involvement Private, 3263, 5th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Nestor embarkation_ship_number: A71 public_note: ''
11 Oct 1915: Embarked Private, 3263, 5th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Nestor, Melbourne
28 Feb 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 5th Infantry Battalion, Egypt
24 Apr 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 5th Infantry Battalion, France
31 May 1916: Wounded AIF WW1, Corporal, 3263, 5th Infantry Battalion, SW to shoulder and head in front line at Fleurbaix. Evacuated to hospital (France). Rejoined unit 30 July 1916.
14 Aug 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Corporal, 3263, 5th Infantry Battalion, Mouquet Farm
28 Aug 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 5th Infantry Battalion, France
14 Apr 1917: Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 3263, 5th Infantry Battalion, The Outpost Villages - German Withdrawal to Hindenburg Line, Lagnicourt
20 Sep 1917: Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 3263, 5th Infantry Battalion, Menin Road
3 Oct 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Company Sergeant Major, 5th Infantry Battalion, Belgium
4 Oct 1917: Involvement AIF WW1, Company Sergeant Major, 3263, 5th Infantry Battalion, Broodseinde Ridge
31 Oct 1917: Honoured Distinguished Conduct Medal, Third Ypres, For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He collected a small party and advanced on an enemy blockhouse
15 Nov 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 6th Infantry Battalion, Belgium. Transferred to 6th Battalion.
1 Mar 1918: Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 6th Infantry Battalion, Belgium
14 Apr 1918: Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 6th Infantry Battalion, German Spring Offensive 1918, Hazebrouck
7 Jun 1918: Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 6th Infantry Battalion, "Peaceful Penetration - Low-Cost, High-Gain Tactics on the Western Front", France. Slight (remained at duty).
10 Aug 1918: Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 6th Infantry Battalion, The Battle of Amiens
10 Aug 1918: Involvement Lieutenant, 6th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 6th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1918-08-10

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Biography contributed by Robert Wight

Prior to enlisting, Harold Collins played 6 games with Fitzroy Football Club in the VFL.

Award - Distinguished Conduct Medal

'September 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He collected a small party and advanced on an enemy blockhouse, which was garrisoned by about twenty of the enemy with two machine guns. He reached it, well ahead of his men, in spite of heavy machine gun fire, threw some bombs into the blockhouse, and, entering, forced the enemy out of another entrance into the hands of the men who were following. He set a splendid example of courage and initiative.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918

Lt Collins was killed in action during the 2nd Brigades attack on Lihons as part of the Amiens offensive.

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