Frederick Samuel Collins
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Frederick Samuel was the twin of Mary Ann Eyne Collins, the children of William Basley Collins and Edith Elizabeth Collins (nee West). William Basley Collins (b. Huswick, Northamptonshire) and Edith Elizabeth West (b. West Haddon, Northamptonshire) were married on 19 September 1898 in West Haddon, Northamptonshire. Their twins Frederick and Mary were born on 3 January 1900 and baptised in Rothwell on 13 May the same year. another son, William, was born about three years later. In 1901 William Basley (21) a shepherd, and Edith (26) and their one-year old twins were living in Winwick, Northamptonshire. By 1911 William, now a farm labourer, and his wife were living at Lockington Grounds, Hemington, Lockington, Derbyshire, with their three children, Frederick and Mary, both 11 years old, and William (8). The three children were born in Orton. The family later moved to Nottingham and at the time of Frederick's death in 1918 his parents were living at 130 Ilkeston Road, Radford, Nottingham.
HMS Barham Collins joined the Royal Navy at the age of 18 on 8 January 1918 for 'hostilities only'. After training he joined HMS Barham and died of pneumonia on 12 November the same year onboard the Hospital Ship China aged 18 years 10 months. He is buried in Nottingham General Cemetery (D. Allotment 03524).
Nottingham General Cemetery. Four commemorations on a double headstone: 114903 Pioneer J Meadows Royal Engineers 13th Nov. 1918 age 58 [and] FS Collins Ord. Seaman. RN. J82741 HMS Barham 12th November 1918. 6/40933 Private JS Woolman Leicestershire Regt. 13th November 1918 [and] 42982 Corporal B Spall Northumberland Fusiliers 13th Nov. 1918 age 45. Nottingham Evening Post, 15th November 1918: 'Collins. On the 12th inst., of pneumonia, Seaman Frederick Samuel, eldest loving son of William and Edith Collins, 130 Ilkeston-road, Nottingham, while on service, aged 18 years 10 months.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’,12 November 1919: ‘Collins. In loving remembrance of Frederick S Collins, Ord. Seaman, of HMS Barham, eldest son of William and Edith Collins, of 130 Ilkeston-road, Radford, who died while on active service, November 12th, 1918, on the hospital ship China, aged 18 years and 10 months. Sweetest memories ever linger round the spot where thou art laid.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
