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How can I find out information on a person who died in WW1 in 1917, I know where he died, his name and family and the area they lived at in England. I also know his mother a widow received his DCM. What other information can I find out?

Betty

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the information, I know Patrick Collins 5332 died aged 27 in Ypres, Belgium.

I know where he was buried and have a photgraph of his grave but would be interested in his service record. I don't however have a an Ancestry subscription.

Betty

Unlikely to be on Ancestry as he was KIA. His service record, if it exists, will be at Kew.

Hi Ann,

Whats a KAI. Sorry I don't know what that means. So I will have to contact Kew ok. Sorry got it now Killed In Action, I am so stupid couldn't think what it was. Oh no its not is it!!

Betty

CWGC entry confirms the Service No.

Name: COLLINS
Initials: P
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Connaught Rangers
Unit Text: 6th Bn.
Date of Death: 09/03/1917
Service No: 5332
Awards: D C M
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: M. 81.
Cemetery: KEMMEL CHATEAU MILITARY CEMETERY

Reg

Sorry - yes you're right! Killed in Action.

Hi Rob,

I am not very up on these army things, Patricks army number was 5332, he was in the the 6th Battalion, Connaught Rangers in Co Cork, Ireland, attached to the British Expeditionary Force. On Friday 9 March 1917 he was killed.,

Betty

Oh Sorry Reg!!

I just notice your post, thank you so much for the information, yes that is Patrick Collins who lived in Durham, he was one of 12 children.

He was my husbands grandfathers brother.
Many, many thanks Reg.

Betty

Thanks Rob,

What the CWGC, told you I know nothing about these things, how would I get in touch with them to get the service records of Patrick Collins?

Betty

Hi again Rob,

I am also interested in finding out if his mother being a widow would get a pension as Patrick died and she was a widow.

What should my first step be, who do I contact first and where to next.

Betty

Ok Thanks Rob,

The info I have is as follows:-

Deorwenta Publcations, Blackhill, Co
Durham (St. Mary's War Memorial) and it reads as follows:
'5332 Patrick Collins DCM Age 27: P Collins, one of twelve children, was a son of Thomas Collins, originally from Co. Monaghan, Ireland and Mary Anne Collins, neé Duffy, from Berwick on Tweed, whose family came from Co Armagh, Ireland. Patrick was born on 15 July 1889 and the family lived at 29 Waltons Row, Blackhill, Co Durham. He enlisted at Newcastle on Tyne, to join the 6th Battalion, Connaught Rangers in Co Cork, Ireland, attached to the British Expeditionary Force. On Friday 9 March 1917, he died of wounds and is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetry, Heuvellland, West Vlaanderen, Belgium. Grave reference: M81. After his death, his mother was presented with the DCM at the Olympia Cinema, Blackhill.

Betty

Thanks Rob,

I have never heard of that website before, I will give it a try, again thanks for all your help !!

Betty

Hi Rob,

No I don't have a subscription for Ancestry or any for any English records as all of my family are Scottish/Irish.

Yes that was Patrick Collins address 29 Walton Street Blackhill Durham. Can you give me the ref No anyway maybe I can get someone to look them up and send them to me.

Betty

Hi Rob,

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Will pm you my e-mail address. If you ever need any Scottish lookups please let me know, I will do as many as you like.

Betty

Oh Rob,

Same here this Collins family are Irish and all I know is they came from Monaghan in Ireland, thats it.

My Grandmother married in Scotland but all her family came from Ireland, again I don't know where though. I should has asked more questions when I was younger, they are all gone now including my parents, too late to ask anything.

Betty