Remembering Today

[kin47]

Hello

A note on S/LT Collins, RNVR, Hawke Bn, RND. He was wounded in action, but died of wounds as a prisoner of war in German hands.

All best

don

[Adrian Roberts]

Why was his rank given as "Sub Lt Major" Collins?

Was he "Sub Lt (Temporary Major)"? In Army units, many Majors were down as SECOND Lt (T/Major), so in Collins case was the mix of Naval (Sub Lt) and Army ranks due to the RND's land-based role?

Or was Major his Christian name?

Adrian

[kin47]

Hello Adrian

Major Martin were his Christian names. I am sure there must be a story there, but sorry I don't know it.

All best

don

[michaeldr]

Sub Lt Collins gets three mentions in the Hawke history written by Douglas Jerrold

p 81 when he joined A Company in July 1915 on Gallipoli

p 141 noting that he was left out of the November attack and was amongst the experienced cadre left to rebuild the battalion

p 150 noting his death as a result of the fighting of 4th Feb

Sorry, but nothing re his given names

regards

Michael D.R.

[michaeldr]

Additional to the above

Len Sellers in his magazine 'RND' issue No.3, Dec 1997, quotes WO32/5057 (see page 155) This doc lists officers of the RND as at 3rd May 1916 and places M. M. Collins as the second (senior?) Sub-Lieut in the Hawke Battalion

Michael D.R.

[John Morcombe]

Temporary Sub Lieutenant Major Martyn Collins RNVR

Enlisted as London Z/527 Ordinary Seaman RNVR 5/10/14 ;

Posted to Nelson Bn. 22/10/14-14/2/15 Discharged to Crystal Palace ;

Commissioned T/S/Lt. RNVR 10/3/15 ;

Draft for MEF 1/8/15, joined 'A' Company Hawke Bn. 20/8/15-29/10/15 Cut foot, to hospital, rejoined Hawke Bn. at Mudros 7/2/16-4/2/17 DD.

This from my forthcoming RND Dbase.

John M