Lives of the First World War

Arthur Douglas Collins was born in 1882 at Penn Fields, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England to parents Henry and Caroline Collins (nee Boell). His birth was registered in June quarter 1882 in the district of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England Henry and Caroline Collins and their five children arrived in Western Australia aboard the Chollerton on 25th March, 1887. Arthur Douglas was aged 5 years. He was educated at Perth Boys School, Perth, Western Australia. (Arthur) Douglas Collins was a 33 year old, single, Nurseryman from Ferndale, Burswood, Western Australia when he enlisted on 8th November, 1916 with the 5th Pioneer Battalion, 8th Reinforcements of the Australian Army (A.I.F.). His service number was 3354 and his religion was Presbyterian. His next of kin was listed as his father - Mr Henry Collins of Ferndale, Burswood, Western Australia. In his Attestation Papers, Douglas Collins had stated that he had previously been rejected for Service. Pte Douglas Collins embarked from Fremantle on HMAT Berrima (A35) on 23rd December, 1916 and disembarked at Devonport, England on 16th February, 1917. Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain and surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire. Pte Douglas Collins was marched in to Training Battalion at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire on 18th February, 1917 from Australia. Pte Douglas Collins was admitted to Fargo Military Hospital, Wiltshire on 13th March, 1917 from Larkhill Camp - seriously ill with bronchitis. Pte Douglas Collins died of broncho-pneumonia at 8.15 a.m. on 15th March, 1917 at Fargo Military Hospital, Durrington, Wiltshire.

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