Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Bertie Ernest Collins was born on the 5th of November 1893 in North Adelaide and grew up with his dad John Collins and his mum Catherine and  sister Lilla. Bertie Ernest Collins was 5 ft 10 ½”, with brown hair, blue eyes and fair skin. Bertie Ernest Collins would go on to work as a Pastoralist. He would spend his days looking after and caring for animals in the grazing fields. These fields would contain cattle, sheep, and other farm animals.

When the war came around Bertie Collins would enlist on the 21st of June 1915 at the age of 18. Bertie Collins was assigned to the 27th infantry battalion 5th reinforcements. After a month spent with the 5th reinforcements, Bertie Collins moved to the 4th reinforcements. He trained at the Mitchem Camp for 3 months learning to shoot, follow commands and improve his physical fitness. His last rank during his time serving was a private or a normal solider.

On the 8th of August he was admitted to Miss Hill’s Private Hospital with suspected influenza and he passed the same day. The final diagnosis of his condition was cerebro spinal meningitis. At the time, Miss Hill’s Private Hospital was a training hospital for new doctors to get experience before moving to a larger hospital. The Miss Hill’s Private Hospital was created by Alice Tibbitt in 1888. In 1902 Kate Hill left the Children's Hospital and joined Alice Tibbitt’s hospital where she would eventually become the owner of the hospital.

Bertie Earnest Collins was buried on the 9th of August, a day after he died. He was buried in the Burra Cemetery, in Mount Bryan. His tombstone is inscribed with “Loving Memory” and he is resting with his mother, father and sister.