COLLINS, Harry Gantlett
| Service Number: | 2311 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 October 1915, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 48th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Wayville, South Australia, 27 March 1884 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Sturt Street School, Muirden College, Prince Alfred College, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Accountant |
| Died: | Influenza and Broncho Pneumona, France, 30 October 1918, aged 34 years |
| Cemetery: |
Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery Plot XV, Row BB, Grave No. 5 |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Henley Beach Council Fallen WW1 & WW2 Honour Board, Henley Beach Council WW1 Service Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 25 Oct 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2311, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Mar 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2311, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Outer Harbor embarkation_ship: RMS Mongolia embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 9 Mar 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2311, 32nd Infantry Battalion, RMS Mongolia, Outer Harbor | |
| 16 Apr 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 5th Divisional Cyclist Company, Served in Egypt 3/4/1916 - 17/6/1916. | |
| 17 Jun 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2311, 5th Divisional Cyclist Company, Embarked from Alexandria for France | |
| 23 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2311, Whilst serving with the 2nd Anzac Cycling Battalion, Private Collins was detached to assist the Area Post Master New Zealand Division (APM. NZ. Divn.) However, this posting did not involve the delivery of mail, instead he would participate in the burying of communication cables along the trenches (often right up to the front line). The burying of these cables was paramount to continuous communication; in previous battles at The Somme, artillery bombardment severed these lines, leaving troops without the means to communicate important information regarding enemy troop movements. | |
| 23 Jul 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion | |
| 8 Nov 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2311, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion, Private Clark was admitted to the 103 Field Ambulance before being transferred to the 34th Divisional Rest Station, with influenza. | |
| 24 Nov 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2311, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion, Discharged from hospital, after recovering from influenza and bronchitis, Private Collins rejoined his unit. | |
| 22 May 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2311, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion, Private Collins was detached to the APM 2nd ANZAC, probably due to his experience from serving with the APM. NZ. Divn. in July 1916. | |
| 17 Jun 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2311, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion, After returning to his unit on 5/6/1917, Private Harry Gantlett Collins was later detached to the 2nd Army Grenade School. | |
| 17 Nov 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2311, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion, Returning from the 2nd Army Grenade School, Private Collins was later detached to 133 A.T. Company. | |
| 16 Jan 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, Anzac Provost Corps , Private Harry Gantlett Collins transferred to the Australian Corps Cyclist Battalion, part of the Australian Provost Corps, Bailleul France. The Provost Corps was involved with maintaining order, security, and discipline within the forces. Whilst attached to this battalion, Private Collins would have probably been involved with any (or all) of the following duties: delivering messages, burying cables, traffic control, reconnoitring the battlefield. | |
| 12 Feb 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2311, Private Collins was detached for duty to APW Baulleul, where he would remain until mid March 1918. | |
| 12 Mar 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 48th Infantry Battalion | |
| 12 Mar 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 48th Infantry Battalion, Upon his return from his attachment to the Anzac Provost Corps in Bailleul, Private Harry Gantlett Collins was transferred to the 48th Infantry Battalion. | |
| 9 Oct 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2311, 48th Infantry Battalion, Upon returning from two weeks leave in the UK, Private Collins rejoined his unit and was then detached to the 4th Division, as a guard for a period of four days, rejoining his unit on 13/10/1918. | |
| 24 Oct 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2311, 48th Infantry Battalion, Breaching the Hindenburg Line - Cambrai / St Quentin Canal, Just 11 days after rejoining his unit, Private Collins was admitted sick to hospital, via the 12th Australian Field Ambulance, then transferred to the 41st Stationary Hospital, Pont Remy, France. | |
| 30 Oct 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2311, 48th Infantry Battalion, Private Collins was admitted to hospital with lung congestion on 24/10/1918, where he died six days later on 30/10/1918. |
Help us honour Harry Gantlett Collins's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Edmund Thomas and Elizabeth Collins, of Esplanade, Henley, South Australia.
I ONLY YIELD THEE WHAT WAS THINE THY WILL BE DONE
Private HARRY GANTLETT COLLINS, who died on October 30, at No. 41, Stationary Hospital, France, from influenza and bronchial pneumonia, was the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Collins, "Wayville," Henley Beach, and was 34 years old. He was educated at Sturt-street school, and Muirden and Prince Alfred Colleges. Later he entered his father's business (Woodman's Music Warehouse) as accountant. About ten years ago he, with his father, visited England and the Continent. Private Collins enlisted three years ago, and sailed for Egypt in March, 1916, with the 32nd Battalion, afterwards being sent to France, where, for a time, he was in an area office. Later he joined the 2nd Anzac Cycling Corps. When the corps disbanded he took up other duties until about eight months ago. He then was transferred to the 48th Battalion, and was in the great battles since fought, notably the offensive starting on August 8, and he came through safely. His letters of late had been most cheerful, and he expressed a hope that he would be home early in the new year. Private Collins' genial disposition won for him a large circle of friends.
Rather less known were the AIF cycling units, who were used in many of the major battles during the First World War such as Messines in June 1917, and Passchendale July 1917. Deployed to the front line, mainly as despatch riders, they also undertook duties such as the burying of communication cables in the trenches, usually at night under the cover of darkness and working by available light and often right up to the front line. Additionally they were involved in traffic control, patrolling, and reconnaissance work.
Biography contributed by Francheska Sison
Harry Gautlett Collins was born in March 1884 (the day of his birthday is unknown) Wayville, South Australia. During his younger years, he grew up living with his parents Elizabeth Collins and Edmund Collins at Henley Beach, South Australia. He was educated at Prince Alfred College. His first occupation was an accountant. He inspected financial accounts. Harry's relationship status was single for his whole life, he was not espoused or engaged.
Harry Gautlett Collins was enlisted on 25th October 1915, Adelaide, South Australia.
Summary of Service events
Harry Gautlett Collins unit was the 48th Infantry Battalion was raised in 1916 for service during World War I and taking part of the fights in the trenches of the Western Front.
25 October 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, SN 2311, Adelaide, South Australia.
9 March 1916: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, SN 2311, 32nd Infantry Battalion, RMS Mongolio, Outer Harbor
9 March 1916: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, SN 2311, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1
12 March 1918: Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 48th Infantry Battalion
Memorials
Australian War Memorial - Roll of Honour, Henley Beach
Honour Board - The Fallen of WW1 and 2, Henley Beach WW1 Honour Roll
Harry Gautlett Collins was awarded:
- British War Medal
- Victory Medal
Harry Gautlett Collines died at the age of 34 as he died of illness/disease in Amiens, France. The place of his burial is at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetary (Plot XV, Row BB, Grave No. 5), Fouilloy, France.
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