| Regimental number | 832 |
| Place of birth | Ballarat, Victoria |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Occupation | Fitter |
| Address | Eureka Street, Ballarat East, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 18 |
| Height | 5' 6" |
| Weight | 128 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, Edward F. Collins, Eureka Street, Ballarat East, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Served for 4 years in Cadets; and in 70th Infantry, Citizen Military Forces; still serving at time of AIF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Ballarat, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 31st Battalion, D Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/48/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lance Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 31st Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Recommendation date: Meritorious Service Medal Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Plaque in Victorian Garden of Remembrance |
| Medals |
Meritorious Service Medal 'This man has been a D Company runner in the Battalion ever since its formation. He has done splendid work in the action at FLEURBAIX, in the SOMME operations (including the taking of BAPAUME) and also in the operations around YPRES during September and October, 1917. He has repeatedly carried important messages from Company to Battalion Headquarters under heavy fire, and has always set a splendid example to the other runners of the Battalion.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 110 Date: Military Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 831 Sergeant Frank Austin COLLINS, 31st Bn, returned to Australia, 20 December 1917. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Melbourne, 9 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 7 December 1915. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Admitted to Divisional Rest Station, 26 September 1916 (influenza); rejoined Bn, in the field, 5 October 1916. On leave to England, 20 December 1916; rejoined Bn, in the field, from leave, 7 January 1917. Appointed Lance Corporal, 1 October 1917. On leave to Paris, 26 December 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, from leave, 4 January 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 17 January 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, from leave, 6 February 1918. Awarded Meritorious Service Medal, 17 June 1918. Detached to Australian Corps School, 9 February 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, from detachment, 19 August 1918. Promoted Temporary Corporal, 1 August 1918. Wounded in action, 30 September 1918 (phosphorous gas), and admitted to 8th Australian Field Ambulance, and reverted to Lance Corporal; transferred same day to 50th Casualty Clearing Station, and then to Ambulance Train, and admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital, Rouen, 1 October 1918. Transferred to England, 19 October 1918, and admitted to Beaufort War Hospital, Bristol, 20 October 1918; transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 27 November 1918; discharged on furlough, 23 December 1918, to report to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 6 January 1919. Awarded Military Medal. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Lancashire', 7 February 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 31 March 1919; discharged (medically unfit), Melbourne, 19 August 1919. Medals: Military Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Name entered incorrectly on Embarkation Roll as Hubert Allan COLLINS. |
| Date of death | |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, COLLINS Herbert Alan |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
