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Tech.5 Ambrose Thomas "Brose" Collier . US Army 1st Btn. 422nd Infantry Regiment from Olyphant, PA
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A/L/Bdr. Bernard Henry Collier . British Army 104th (Essex Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Horse Artillery from Colchester, Essex
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Pte. Charles Alfred "Chuck" Collier . British Army Royal Lincolnshire Regiment from Grimsby, Lincs I don't know what Battalion Charles Collier served with. He did serve in Italy Sicily and North Africa.
Can anyone please tell me what campaign medals he had as he never got them?
He survived the war.
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G Collier . British Army Reconnaissance Corps G Collier served with the Reconnaissance Corps British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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Sgt Geoff T Collier . RAF 12sqd
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Irene "Mickey" Collier . Land Army from Grange Park Rd,Thornton Heath, London Some reminiscences of my days in the Land Army.(1943-1947)
I joined the Land army when I was only 15 (well nearly 16) and was first sent to a hostel at Compton Dundon, in Herefordshire. We found the work very hard at first and ached in every limb, especially the first two months. None of us had done this type of manual labour before!
As I lived in London we used to try to get home most weekends - often by thumbing lifts as our pay did not go very far. We used to be taken by lorry first thing each morning and dropped off at a farm for the day. We seldom knew in advance where we were going to be.
Another thing I remember is being hungry a lot of the time, for if late down for breakfast there often wouldn’t be any left as it was on a first come first served basis. (I was never very good at getting up in the morning) Although packed lunches were provided for us to take with us, if you were late down and the lorry had arrived you could miss out on these also.
Sometimes, fortunately, the farmers wives would bring tea and a snack out to us during the long days in the fields.
A number of times when we were working in the fields, German planes came over and dived down low and we had to jump in the nearest ditch to avoid being machine gunned.
One week I was 2 days late back and as a "punishment" was sent away to a hostel in North Petherton in Somerset. Actually this proved to be blessing, for although getting home proved to be a non starter from here, I enjoyed working in this area very much, we got on well with the farmers and the countryside was lovely.
I look forward very much to receiving my badge as I have always thought we were very much the forgotten service.
Irene Sayer (nee Collier) 80
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John Albert Collier . Canadian Army I am trying to get more information on the Neys POW camp in Ontario. My grandfather was a guard at the camp, and seemingly had a good rapport with many of the POW's.
He had been given a couple of ships in a bottle - some very interesting artefacts that were apparently made by the POW's (complete with German decoration).
I had been searching for any reference, when I happend accross a very similar one by accident in a friend of a friend's house...
Could I ask for any historical reference, tracking, awareness...or anyone that could be contacted regarding an awareness?
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L/Cpl. John Collier . British Army 18th Divn Royal Corps Signals from Oldham Lancashire (d.21st Sep 1944) John was a Territorial - had, I think, served on the Norway raid early in the war. I don't have much family detail - he would have been an uncle to me.
30 October 1941, Orient Line’s SS Orcades and seven other transports sailed in convoy (WS12X) from Liverpool’s Princess Jetty. The 18th Division regiments, totaling 20,800 officers and men were en route to the Middle East via Halifax. This was the first convoy secretly manned and protected by US Navy and Coastguard personnel with orders to sink any opposing craft - this was before Pearl Harbour and the US formal entry to WW2.
10 November 1941 TF 14 sailed from Halifax in 6 American transports via Cape Town for Suez. US Navy manned USS Mount Vernon (AP22), USS West Point (AP23) and USS Orizaba (AP24); US Coast Guardsmen manned USS Wakefield (AP21), USS Joseph T Dickman (AP26) and USS Leonard Wood (AP25). 7 December 1941 Pearl Harbor.
13 December 1941 convoy (WS12X) left Cape Town with revised orders for Bombay now renamed convoy TF-14.2. Subsequent splitting and reroutes saw transports arrive at Singapore between 13 January and 5 February 1942. John was then POW on the Burma railway. Another POW tried to track him down through his wife at the end of the war, saying John's actions had kept him alive as a POW - but it was later found out that John had perished but when and how?
4 July 1944 convoy SHIMI-05 left Singapore, 10 ships (5 carrying about 5000 POWs in total) being the largest group of POWs shipped at one time during the war. John along with 1286 POWs were put aboard the Hofuku Maru (nb: this ship was also known as the Fuku Maru, the Toyofuku Maru and the Fuji Maru) a 5825 ton cargo ship. Convoy made for Miri, Borneo which it reached on July 8. Hofuku Maru and another ship (not carrying POWs), dropped out to wait for another convoy.
19 July 1944 Hofuku Maru made it to the Philippines but lay in Manila harbour until mid-September while its engines were repaired. The POWs on board suffered terribly from disease, hunger and thirst and finally a number were removed to the Bilibid Prison hospital in Manila being replaced by a similar number from the Philippines making a total of 1289 POWs then on board.
20 September 20, Convoy MATA-27 sailed from Manila (11 ships including the Hofuku Maru now the only one carrying POWs) anchoring at Subic Bay for the night.
21 September 1944 convoy sailed for Takao (Formosa) but aircraft from the 17 carriers in Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher’s Task Force 38 attacked about 80 miles north of Corregidor. 10:35 am planes attacked the Hofuku Maru and then the entire convoy had been sunk by more than 100 American planes. About 200 of the POWs either swam to shore or were picked up by the Japanese and taken back to the Philippines. John was listed as dead.
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1Lt. Joseph William Collier . United States Army Air Corps 401st Fighter Squadron 370th Fighter Group from Olyphant, Pennsylvania, USA My Uncle, Joseph Collier, was the Intelligence Officer for the 401st Fighter Squadron, 370th Fighter Group. They occupied the former German Airfield at Florennes, Belgium near the end of September 1944.
My father, Sgt. Ambrose Collier, was a member of the 106th Infantry Division, 422 Regiment, Company L. The 106th moved into the front line east of Schoenburg/ St. Vith, Belgium to relieve the 2nd Division around the 12th of December, 1944.
Uncle Joseph and a driver and left Florennes on 15th December to visit my father. After the visit my Uncle spent the night near Schoenburg. At 6:30 am on 16th December the Battle of the Bulge began. Both men were captured on 19th December in different locations. My father was interned in Stalag 4B, Muhlberg Sachsen. My Uncle was moved from Stalag 9B, Bad Orb to Oflag 8B, Hammelberg. The day after Gen. Patton's raid at the Hammelberg POW Camp my Uncle was moved to Stalag 7A, Moosburg. Each man survived the war and returned home.
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1Lt. Joseph William Collier . US Army Air Corps 401st Fighter Squadron from Groton, New York
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Able Sea. Leonard Leslie Collier . Royal Navy HMS Nelson from London Leonard Collier served in HMS Nelson.
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Muriel Gladys Collier . Land Army
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Ldg.Sea. Peter Collier . Royal Navy HM LCI Royal Scotsman from Huyton, Liverpool (d.17th Jun 1944) Peter Collier, (b.1920) of 111 Cartmel Road, Huyton, Liverpool. Leading Seaman DSSX 25666 onboard the landing craft Royal Scotsman died on the 17th June 1944 at the Invasion of Elba, in Italy. He was listed as Missing presumed killed. Peter is Commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth and is possibly buried at Bolsena War Cemetery, Italy in an unnamed grave.
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RH Collier . British Army Royal Armoured Corps RH Collier served with the Royal Armoured Corps British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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Sgt. Richard Alfred James Collier . RAF(VR) air gunner. 101 Sqd. from Westminster (d.31st Mar 1944)
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Pilot Officer S G Collier . RAF VR 59 Squadron
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Cpl. Willoughby Hawkins "Bill" Collier . British Army 70th Sussex Searchlight Rgt Royal Artillery from Bexleyheath, Kent Bill Collier served with the 70th Sussex Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery.
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Pte William Collind . British Army Highland Light Infantry from Carrickfergus
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Mech. Clement "Jumper" Collings . Royal Navy Clement Collings met my mother in Oban, Argyll his first time ashore.
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Douglas Arthur Collings . British Army Royal Army Medical Corps from Bromley, Kent My father, Douglas Arthur Collings, served in North Africa and Italy with the Ambulance Corps. I am looking for any information.
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Capt. Eric Collings . British Army from Ipswich My uncle Eric Collings was in the army in India, Egypt, and in Europe, he was blown up twice but survived the war. He moved to the USA after WWII where he died, we have lost touch with his children so I cannot get his records.All we know is from a picture of his army pal that states - "58th & 67th (Suffolk) Medium Regiments Royal Artillery Camp, Roedean nr Brighton, August 1939 - the caption - my best friend Charlie" (He is handsome man with light eyes and broad features- Charlie who ?). I have photos that Eric took in India. The photos are of locals and other soldiers with names and places on the backs such as Ted Lucis & Johny Bones, Monsoon camp, and one of Gandi! Also a tiny album of ship photos - possbly ones he sailed on to various war time places ? Ships - HMT Dilwara, HMT Nevasa, HMT Dunero, HMT Neiralia, The Queen Elizaberth, HMT Somersetshire, The Queen Mary, one damaged photo, one poss' - HMT Lancaster?. There are several photos of horses, one of Eric winning a race on a horse called- Flying Fox at Nerbudda, also horse lines and tents, erecting a bridge, snake charmers, and one of a native doing the Indian rope trick !
He joined as a bugleboy in 1930's we think as some photos are dated 1935, by the end of WWII he was a Captain & acting Major. Can anyone help me fill in his war years? I will happily share all photos with any interested parties.
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Gladys Collings . Auxiliary Territorial Service from Liverpool Gladys Collings served with the ATS at Old Hall, Liverpool.
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J Collington . British Army Northamptonshire Regiment J Collington served with the Northamptonshire Regiment British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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L/Cpl. Frank Gerald Collingwood . British Army 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.27th May 1940)
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Sea. Frank Collingwood . Royal Navy HMS Eagle Frank Collingwood enlisted on 22nd of December 1942 and served until 9th of July 1946. He served on the following ships:
- HMS Raleigh - shore base, 1942-43
- HMS Drake
- HMS Eagle
- HMS Shah (formerly the USS Jamaica, which was transferred to the Royal Navy in 1943) 1943-45
- HMS Appledore - base and training ship in Devon, 1945–46
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Cpl. Sidney Derek Collingwood . British Army Royal Army Service Corps from Southend on Sea My Grandad Cpl Sidney Collingwood, was in the RASC and served in North Africa and Italy between 1941-1945. I have 4 medals (Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal) and his old pay book. Any information or if anyone knows of him and could pass on would be very much appreciated.
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Alexander John Collins . Royal New Zealand Air Force 190 Squadron from New Zealand My Dad, Alexander John Collins, graduated from No 3 Wireless School in Winnipeg on 31st of July 1942. I have his graduation certificate and the photograph of the ceremony.
He joined the RNZAF in 1939 but was not released from his employers, NZ Railways, considered an essential industry, until 1941.
He then went into camp in Levin NZ and was sent to Canada from there. He flew with 192 Squadron.
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Arthur "Dick" Collins . Royal Air Force 78 Squadron from Knockholt Arthur Collins was born in 1921 in Beckenham, Kent. He left his home in Knockholt Kent at 15 years old and joined the Army with the 4th Battalion Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment as a private and in 1938 he won the battalion's Rifle championship at only17 years of age!
By 1939 he got tired of the army, wishing to fly, so joined the RAF close to his home at RAF Biggin Hill, Kent. Originally, he was an aircraft engine fitter but was quickly recognised as suitable for aircrew training. He was sent by ship to Canada and trained as aircrew with the Royal Canadian Air Force at 31 ANS Port Albert flying Avro Ansons, transport aircraft. His flying career as a navigator started 9th of July 1942. Upon return to the UK and whilst based at RAF St Athan near Cardiff, South Wales he met Doreen Heslop, who was serving in the Women's Royal Air Force and they got married at St Sampsons Church, Grangetown, Cardiff, South Wales.
After he finished flying Ansons he transferred to Bomber Command and his first flight on bomber aircraft was on 16th June 1943 on Wellingtons with 20 OTU and the course continued through to 25th July 1943.
From 2nd until 23rd September 1943 he was with a HCU flying in Halifax bombers for the first time. He then joined 78 Squadron at RAF Breighton, Yorkshire. On 11 November 1943 he had his first flight in Halifax K.HR74
Then on he crewed 24 flights in Halifax aircraft over Germany. These included operations to:
- Leipzig on 3rd December 1943 in O-LW330,
- Frisian Islands, mine laying on 20th January 1944 in G-LW342,
- Berlin on 20th January 1944 in K-LW288,
- Berlin on 15th February 1944 in O-LV794
Finally, on the night of the 25th/26th February whilst returning to RAF Breighton from Augsburg Southern Germany his Halifax E-YO aircraft was shot down by a JU88.
Sadly, most of the crew, including the pilot were killed but Arthur was blown out of the aircraft but survived and was taken Prisoner of War being moved finally to Poland.
On 7th June of Arthur's son and two grandsons attended his former 78 Squadron reunion at RAF Breighton Yorkshire being the airfield from which he left in his Handley Page Halifax LV794 E-YO bomber for Augsburg south Germany on the 24th/25th of February 1944 which he failed to return. On that fateful final flight on 25th February 1944 returning from bombing the MAN diesel factory in Augsburg Germany his aircraft was shot at by a JU88 night fighter and the aircraft caught fire and exploded. The Luftwaffe pilot Maj. Gunther Radusch engaged the Halifax at a height of 6,500 mtrs. at 00.20 hrs. over the village of Fischbach bei Dahn, Rheinland-Pfalzer in southern Germany. At the date the aircraft went missing, Arthur had logged up 300.75 hours flying time. Arthur was blown out of the aircraft but luckily regained his senses just 300 metres before he hit the ground he pulled his parachute cord and landed in a fir tree. The rear gunner who also survived, cut him down from his parachute which was stuck in the fir tree. Arthur's leg was very badly injured with bullet holes and shrapnel and was pulled to a roadside at the edge of the village of Fischbach bei Dahn and left until a farmer picked him up in the morning.
He was taken to a convent hospital and the doctors fixed him up exceptionally well. The German pilot that shot him down came to visit him in hospital a few days later expressing his regrets at killing some of Arthur' crew and spoke in perfect English as he had spent 4 years at Oxford University in England before the war. He left Arthur a supply of cigarettes and chocolates. When he was fully recovered he was transferred to POW camp in Poland.
As injured aircrew were not sent home in World War 2 by the Germans, Arthur managed to procure a Polish corporal's uniform and escaped to Switzerland. The Swiss Red Cross managed to get him on board a hospital ship, Arundle Castle in Marseilles and he returned to the Liverpool in February 1945.
After the war in early 1946 he was initially stationed at RAF Swanton Morley Norfolk for retraing on Whitleys, then RAF Driffield Yorkshire. In early 1950 he was posted to RAF Waddington Lincolnshire flying Avro Lincolns. In 1953 he was posted to RAF Marham Norfolk flying B29 Washingtons. In 1955 he was sent for 6 months to RAAF Toowoomba Australia with the B29 on Atom bomb trials. Upon return was posted to RAF Waterbeach, Cambridge,then in 1957 to RAF Watton Norfolk followed by RAF Tangmere Chichester.
Then Arthur rejoined his wartime 78 squadron again in 1959 for 3 years at RAF Khormaksar, Aden flying Twin Pioneers. He returned to the UK at RAF Northolt with Met Comm Squadron on both Devons and Pembrokes flying VIPs including Prime Minister Harold Wilson. In 1964 he was posted to RAF Wildenrath Germany for 4 years returning back to RAF Northolt and ceased flying in 1973. He continued with the RAF at RAF Northollt with Air Traffic Control and in his final years in the RAF with Aeronautical Information Documents Unit (AIDU) until retirement at RAF Northolt in 1979.
During his 40 year career with Bomber/Strike, Transport, Met Comm squadrons he flew in 15 different types of aircraft including Ansons, Wellington, Whitleys, Halifax, Hastings, Lincolns, B29 Washington Superfort, Twin Pioneers, Pembrokes and Devons.
Shortly before his death in Dorchester Devon in August 2000 Arthur was reunited with one of his former aircraft a De havilland Devon at Compton Abbas airfield near Shaftsbury Devon which he flew in the 1960s from RAF Northolt and RAF Wildenrath Germany. It was Prince Philip's personal aircraft which His Royal Highness flew it 67 times whilst it was originally part of the Queen's Flight. His son Roger bought this aircraft in 1996 and has been restored and is still flying today. It was used as a fly past at Arthur's military funeral on Portland Dorset in August 2000. Arthur's ashes are buried in Knockholt churchyard in the village of his childhood and reunited with Doreen his wife of over 50 years.
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AB. Arthur Ernest Collins . Royal Navy SS Norman Queen from Leicester (d.8th Mar 1941) Arthur Collins was lost at sea on convoy FN426.
He was a Royal Naval Gunner on a armed merchant ship SS Norman Queen that was attacked and sunk by E Boat S1 just off the coast of Norfolk.
I believe the Captain was the only survivor of the crew of approximately 12.
He was on his final trip before returning to Royal Naval service.
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LBdr Bernard Arthur "Rufus" Collins CBE. British Army Royal Artillery from Hearne Bay Rufus Collins became mayor of Canterbury. He had to be nursed back to health after repatriation by his sister-in-law, my grandmother.
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