The Collins family moved from Shepreth to Harston by 1901 and brothers Thomas (born 1882), Jack (born 1892), Robert (born 1895) and Fred (born 1899) all lived in Green Man Lane, Harston in 1901, along with two sisters. Their parents John and Julia later moved to Violet Cottage, Button End, Harston. All four brothers fought in WW1 but Robert did not return.
A single, farm labourer, he was one of the first Harston men to volunteer (for the Suffolk Regiment) as reported in the Cambridge Independent Press on 4 September 1914:
‘Roll of Honour’, Cambs. recruits for Lord Kitchener’s Second Army, ‘Splendid Response’, including (from Harston), Robert Collins, labourer (20),
He died of wounds on 19 Apr 1916 on the Somme.
He is buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France. Grave A 19 26. His parents requested that his gravestone should be inscribed ‘Farewell dear son and brother, until we meet again.’
Comments about this page
i am the great grandson of Frederick, roberts brother.
I was told this had happened by nellie (my great grandmother x) freds wife and wasn`t expecting to find any information after checking online around 10 years ago
thanks for recording this , important to know our history.
I am the Granddaughter of Jack Collins and would love to know more about the family.
Violet Cottage photo would be lovely.
sadly for many years I have wanted to see a photo of our Robert and thanks to here I can see him 🙁 Thank you so much and because I could 🙂 I called our son Robert in our Roberts memory.
Any photos of Nanny Julia etc., would be just the best and a huge thank you to cousin Margret from the Limes Shepreth for all her help.
Jean Eleanor xx
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