John Collins
Corporal, 25th Battalion. The Royal Welch Fusiliers
- Register No.
- 233 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal (register: Acting Corporal) all Corporals →
- Unit
- 25th Battalion. The Royal Welch Fusiliers (register: Royal Welsh Fusiliers) all Royal Welsh Fusiliers VCs →
- Date of action
- 31 October 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 18th December 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 10th September 1877 at West Hatch, Somerset
- Died
- 8th September 1951 at Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales
- Memorial / grave
- Pant Cemetery, Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales
Digest of citation
On 31st October, 1917 at Wadi Saba, Beersheba, Palestine, Corporal Collins repeatedly went out when his battalion was forced to lie out in the open under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, and brought back many wounded. In subsequent operations he rallied his men and led the final assault with great skill in spite of heavy fire at close range and uncut wire. He killed a 15 of the enemy and with a Lewis gun section cover the reorganisation and consolidation most effectively, although isolated and under fire from snipers and guns
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
COLLINS, John. (reg No. 233).
Corporal.. 25th Battalion. The Royal Welch Fusiliers.
London Gazetted on 18th December 1917.
Born on 10th September 1877 at West Hatch, Somerset.
Died on 8th September 1951 at Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.
Memorials at Pant Cemetery, Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.
Digest of Citation reads: On 31st October, 1917 at Wadi Saba, Beersheba, Palestine, Corporal Collins repeatedly went out when his battalion was forced to lie out in the open under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, and brought back many wounded. In subsequent operations he rallied his men and led the final assault with great skill in spite of heavy fire at close range and uncut wire. He killed a 15 of the enemy and with a Lewis gun section cover the reorganisation and consolidation most effectively, although isolated and under fire from snipers and guns.
Additional information: Sergeant Collins also held the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and the Military Medal (MM). He also served as a Sergeant-Major in the Home Guard in World War Two.
Additional information
Sergeant Collins also held the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and the Military Medal (MM). He also served as a Sergeant-Major in the Home Guard in World War Two.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Pant Cemetery, Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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