Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John was born in Elsternwick, an inner suburb of Melbourne on the 13th March 1920 to David and Elsie Victoria Margaret Collier. He was the oldest of three sons, with brothers James Keith and Graham and a sister, Joan.
The family moved to South Australia to live in Glenunga, where the boys attended Glen Osmond Primary then Unley High School. Jack was an active sportsman, playing football for the South Adelaide Colts. He was employed at Hilton by the Shell Petroleum Company. However, with the outbreak of WWII, John (usually called Jack) was an early 19-year-old enlistee on the 3rd November ’39. In June the following year, his younger brother, James enlisted in the RAAF, with his initial training at Parafield. The third and youngest son Graham aged 18, enlisted in the Navy in January ’43.
In that month, Sergeant Jack announced his engagement to Ellen May Lattimore of Paramatta in NSW. She was a nursing sister, working at Paramatta Hospital and had been a former member of St. John's League of Honor, and a Sunday School teacher. The young couple married in August ‘43 at St. John's, Parramatta, by His Grace Bishop Hilliard.
At that time, in a devastating incident, Jack’s younger brother, 21-year-old James who was with the RAAF flying a 4 SQN Boomerang, had previously been reported as missing. His death was confirmed as occurring on the 5th July ’43. James was first wounded when his Brewster Buffalo was damaged by Japanese bombs when taxing into the dispersal area at Ipoh Airfield during the Malayan Campaign. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant.
Distressingly, it was later found that James was killed by friendly fire during a tactical reconnaissance mission. The South Australian Air Force Association recorded the details that Flight Officer Collier took off from Wau Airfield in the New Guinea highlands on a tactical reconnaissance mission with one other aircraft (A46-89) over the Salamaua area in 4 SQN Boomerang A46-88. With low cloud over the target area, the two aircraft elected to proceed to Nassau Bay where the allies were in the process of landing forces. The two aircraft spotted barges and dived to inspect them. The barges were American and fired on both aircraft, mistakenly believing they were Japanese. James’ aircraft was hit at low level before banking and striking the water approximately 50 feet from shore and skidding along the water up onto the shoreline.
James was killed in the crash, only two days before his 22nd birthday. It was the first operational loss of a RAAF Boomerang in the war.’ James’ body was recovered and buried at the Lae Commonwealth War Cemetery, New Guinea.
Jack, May and the family continued to remember James.
Advertiser Saturday 24 July 1943, COLLIER.—In loving memory of Flying-Officer James Keith Collier, as result of air operations In New Guinea. July 5 —Ever remembered by mother, father. Jack, Joan and Graham.
Advertiser Wednesday 5 July 1944, COLLIER.—Loving memories of our dear son F.O. James Keith (Jim) who was killed in New Guinea, July 5 1943 Sweet memories.—Mother, father, Jack (A.I.F. ret.), Joan, Graham (R.A N ) COLLIER.—Loving memory of my dear brother, F.O James Keith, who lost his life in New Guinea.—For ever remembered by May and Jack (A I F.).
Advertiser Monday 12 March 1945, COLLIER, F/Sgt. P. M.—On March 9. result of air accident, Peter, dearly beloved elder son of Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Collier, dearly loved brother of Jack and grandson of M. Gomer.

By September ’44 Lieutenant Jack and May welcomed their first child, a son, David John, born at Inchneuk Private Hospital in Paramatta. Seven-month-old David did not have the opportunity to get to know his father. Less than two years after James’ death and just after his 25th birthday, Jack was also killed in action at Tarakan on the 3rd May ’45 leading a patrol when he ran into a Japanese ambush. The Chronicle announced his death in May. Killed In Action. — SX1013 Lt. John M. Collier, 2/48th Glenunga; SX 19552 Pte. Mervyn M. Arnold, 2/48th, Hilton; SX8737 L-Bdr. Ronald J. Tippins, 2/7th Tailem Bend. Died Of Wounds. — SX31782 Pte. Henry K. Johnston, 2/24th Rosewater.
Back home this horrific news was announced in several papers, including the Mail of May ’45.’ S.A. Officer Dies at Tarakan Mr. and Mrs. D. Collier, of Bevington road Glenunga have been advised that their eldest son, Lieutenant John Methven Collier, 25 has been killed in action at Tarakan, Borneo. Lieutenant Collier, in 1943 was in a party of 30 Australian commandos, which did patrol work on Bougainville Island, five months before the Americans landed. He enlisted at the outbreak of war, and served in the Middle East. His wife, Mrs. May Collier, lives at Parramatta, New South Wales. Before enlisting, Lieutenant Collier was employed by the Shell Co. Ltd., at Hilton. He was educated at Glen Osmond Public School and Unley High School. He later played football with South Adelaide Colts. A brother, Flying-Officer James Keith Collier, was killed in action over New Guinea in July. 1943. His youngest brother Graham is in the Royal Australian Navy.’
In his book, Tobruk to Tarakan, John Glenn describes the conditions experienced on the third day at Tarakan where patrols were conducted in the rain forests “among the endless clay ridges, along sodden tracks half-hidden in the gloom of the overhanging trees, visibility often being only ten yards, or even less.” He describes the conditions at Sykes where it was obvious the Japanese intended to make a stand. “One patrol to the east of this ridge opened fire on the enemy and killed four before answering fire forced them to withdraw. The enemy followed, and a running fight ensued. Lieutenant J.M. Collier was killed, Corporal Pilmore was wounded.”
On the 5th May “Moving northwards, Lieutenant Holland led the patrol to the position previously patrolled by 9 Platoon on 3rd May, and there recovered the body of Lieutenant Collier, who had been killed on that patrol.” This action typified the Australian Battalions who made every effort to retrieve their fellow fallen or injured soldiers and give the former a respectful burial, usually in the field.
Originally buried at Tarakan, Jack’s remains were reburied on the 11th June ‘49 at the Labuan War Cemetery in Malaysia in Plot 27 Row C Grave 13. Nearby are so many others from the 2/48th Battalion including 28-year-old SX4814 Pte Archibald R. Kelly and 25-year-old WX32775 Richard S.D. Winter who were killed on the same day. He is also surrounded by others from the 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion. His family chose the inscription ‘He saw his duty and did it nobly’ for his headstone.
James’ younger brother, Flying Officer James Keith 407114 now rests in Plot Q Row C Grave 9 in the Lae War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea.
Family and friends remembered Jack.
Advertiser Friday 3 May 1946, COLLIER.—In loving memory of Jack, my beloved husband, who was killed In action at Tarakan, May 3. 1945.—Ever remembered by his wife May. COLLIER. Lieut. Jack, 2/48.—In loving memory of our brother who was killed at Tarakan.—Always remembered by his loving sister and brother-in-law, Joan and John. COLLIER.—In loving memory of our eldest son Lieut. Jack. 2/48. killed at Tarakan, May 3.—Ever remembered by mother and father. COLLIER—In loving memory of Jack who made the supreme sacrifice at Tarakan on May 3. 1945.—lnserted by Graham. COLLIER J. Lieutenant 48th Battalion AIF. In loving memory of Jack KIA Tarakan. May 3. 1945. Dick Norma and Yvonne. COLLIER—In loving memory of Jack, killed in action. Tarakan, May 3. 1945. Inserted by Mrs Howell and family.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.