8th December 2015 Arthur Edward Collins Arthur Collins Arthur Collins was born in Stamford in 1895. His father John was a blacksmith. His mother Ellen died in 1898 and in 1901 he was living with his sister in Fletton, Peterborough. In 1911 his father was a widower living with four of his 8 children and two boarders at 4 Cooch’s Court, in a small three roomed house. Arthur and his older brother Alfred were both brickmakers, his sister Nellie was at school and his older sister Minnie was at home. He enlisted at Stamford on August 19th 1914 into the Lincolnshire Regiment. He then served for seven years until November 22nd 1921 when he was transferred to the Reserves until August 18th 1926. He served in France and Belgium where he was injured in the neck. He then went with the 6th Battalion to the Dardanelles in 1915 and was reported missing and wounded on October 10th. He was located on the 13th October and served in Egypt before returning to England. He received three medals during his service, the 1914-15 Star, the British war medal and the Victory medal. No military records survive, when he was discharged he had an exemplary character certificate. ‘A very good man, Hardworking, honest and trustworthy. Always smart and clean, sober and punctual.’ He married Sarah Johnson and returned to his work at Williamson Cliff when he was able. He lived at 43 Reform Street and had three children Derrick, Frederick and Hilda. He suffered from mental problems as a result of his war experience and died in Rauceby hospital on the 10th of March 1958 Gallipoli The 6th battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment was sent to Gallipoli to capture Constantinople, which might have eliminated Turkey from the war and aided the Russians. They sailed from Liverpool on the 1st July 1915 and disembarked on the 18th. The 6th Lincs went to the Front Line on the 21st July and began to strengthen the trenches. They endured dysentery and flies from the unburied corpses and there were many casualties. By 26th November the weather changed and over 100 men were struck down with frostbite. After the campaign ended they reached Alexandria on 2nd February 1916. The Stamford Mercury report September 10th 1915 Private A. G Collins, son of John Edward Collins of 4, Cooch’s Court Castle Street has been wounded on active service with the 6th Lincolnshires in the Dardanelles. Mr Collins has another son serving with the 4th Lincs while his eldest son Private Herbert Collins was killed in the South African campaign. The Stamford and Rutland Guardian report Wednesday October 13th 1915. Stamford Casualties Mr John Edward Collins of 4 Cooch’s Court has been notified that his son Private Arthur Collins of the 6th Battalion who was recently reported to be wounded is now both wounded and missing in the Dardanelles.’