COLLINGS, John
| Service Number: | 224 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Driver |
| Last Unit: | 1st Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Walton, Liverpool, Lancashire, England , 1891 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | St. Laurence’s National School, Liverpool, Lancashire, England |
| Occupation: | Seaman |
| Died: | Influenza & Septic Pneumonia, 4th Southern General Hospital (Ford House Section), Devonport, England , 4 November 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Wallasey (Frankby) Cemetery, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Oct 1914: | Involvement Driver, 224, 1st Field Artillery Brigade, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Argyllshire embarkation_ship_number: A8 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct 1914: | Embarked Driver, 224, 1st Field Artillery Brigade, HMAT Argyllshire, Sydney | |
| 4 Nov 1918: | Involvement Driver, 224, 1st Field Artillery Brigade, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 224 awm_unit: 1st Australian Field Artillery Brigade awm_rank: Driver awm_died_date: 1918-11-04 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Cathy Sedgwick
The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”
John Collings was born at Walton, Liverpool, Lancashire, England in 1891 to parents John and Catherine Collings (nee Cochrane).
His mother – Catherine Collings died on 23rd February, 1908 in Chester, Cheshire, England.
J. Collings, aged 20, born Liverpool with home address of 11 Birnan Rd, Seacombe (same address as he was listed in 1911 England Cecnsus), was listed as a crew member – Assistant Pantryman on board Empress of Britain in May, 1911.
According to information provided by his sister for the Roll of Honour – John Collings came to Australia when he was 22 years old.
On 24th August, 1914 John Collings enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) as a 23 year old, single, Seaman from 71 Kent Street, Sydney, NSW.
Driver John Collings, Service number 224, embarked from Sydney, NSW on HMAT Argyllshire (A8) on 18th October, 1914 with the 1st Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Battery.
John Collings. father of John Collings, died on 23rd January, 1915 at Cheshire, England.
On 4th April, 1915 Driver Collings joined M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force).
He was sent sick to Hospital at Tel-el-Kebir on 6th January, 1916 with venereal disease & from there was admitted to D. B. I. H. at Abbassia on 6th January, 1916. Driver Collings was admitted to 1st Australia Dermatological Hospital on 7th February, 1916. He rejoined & transferred to 1st Battery at Tel-el-Kebir on 6th March, 1916.
Driver Collings embarked from Alexandria to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) on 21st March, 1916 & disembarked at Marseilles, France on 27th March, 1916.
He was given 5 days C.B. (Confined to Barracks) on 19th April, 1916 for neglecting to obey an order & was given 1 day F. P. No. 2 (Field Punishment) with forfeiture of pay on 3rd May, 1916 for improper conduct on Parade.
On 8th July, 1916 Driver Collings was admitted to 13th Field Ambulance (Herpes Zoster) then transferred to 15th Field Ambulance on 14th July, 1916. He was transferred to Divisional Rest Station on 14th July, 1916 & rejoined his Unit (1st Divisional Trench Mortar Battery) on 2nd August, 1916.
Driver Collings reported sick on 7th December, 1916 with abrasions of foot. He was admitted to 5th Field Ambulance on 8th December, 1916 with abrasions of feet & then transferred to 20th C.R.S. the same day. Driver Collings was discharged to duty on 19th December, 1916 & rejoined his Unit form Hospital on 22nd December, 1916.
He proceeded on Leave on 13th May, 1917 & rejoined his Unit on 28th May, 1917.
On 21st August, 1917 Driver Collings reported sick & was admitted to 17th Casualty Clearing Station with Diarrhoea on 22nd August, 1917. He was transferred to No. 20 Ambulance Train on the same day. Driver Collings was admitted to 46th Stationary Hospital on 23rd August, 1917 then transferred to No. 6 Convalescent Depot on 4th September, 1917. He was transferred to No. 5 Convalescent Depot at Cayeux on 9th September, 1917. Driver Collings joined A.G.B.D. (Australian General Base Depot) at Havre, France from Convalescent Camp on 27th September, 1917. He was marched out from A.G.B.D. to 1st Divisional Artillery on 1st October, 1917 & rejoined his Unit on 5th October, 1917.
Driver Collings reported sick on 31st December, 1917. He was admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance then transferred to 20th Divisional Rest Station the same day – P.U.O. (Pyrexia (fever) of unknown origin). Driver Collings was discharged to duty on 13th January, 1918 & rejoined his Unit from Hospital on 26th January, 1918.
On 17th January, 1918 the next-of kin was altered for Driver John Collings to that of his sister – Florence Bellas of 25 Lindeth Avenue, Wallasey, Cheshire, England as his parents were deceased.
He proceeded on Leave from 21st February, 1918 & returned on 9th March, 1918.
Driver Collings embarked at Havre, France on 13th October, 1918 ready for return to Australia “B” Draft. He disembarked at Southampton & was marched in to St. Budeaux on 14th October, 1918 for R. to A. (Return to Australia). Special 1914 Leave.
On 18th October, 1918 Driver Collings was admitted to 4th Southern General Hospital (Ford House) Devonport, England with Influenza. He was reported as dangerously ill with pneumonia.
Driver John Collings died at 22.20 hours on 4th November, 1918 at 4th Southern General Hospital (Ford House Section), Devonport, England from Influenza & Septic Pneumonia.
He was buried in Rake Lane Cemetery, Wallasey, Merseyside, England and he is included on the Private Family Headstone. His death is still acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Names of relatives or friends present at the funeral – 5 Sisters, 2 Brothers-in-law, 1 Brother and Sister-in-Law.
(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/wallasey.html
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