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 Plot IV, Row D, Grave No. 2 |
| Memorials: |
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, German Withdrawal to Hindenburg Line and Outpost Villages, 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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Add my storyBiography 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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