Private Haydn Collinson

Royal Army Medical Corps, Territorial, 2^nd Battalion, Northern General Hospital, Service No. 127

Died of wounds 27^th November 1916, aged 23

Story

Haydn was born in Kippax on 30^th January 1893, the son of John William Collinson and Susan Charlston. By 1911, the family had moved to 26 Hill Street, Bowers Row, and Haydn was a screener at the pit. He enlisted for the army in Leeds, and was posted to France on 13^th September 1915, so had been serving for a year and two months before he was killed. On 8^th December 1916, it was reported: ‘Sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Collinson, of Bowers Allerton, who last week received intimation that their second son, Private Haydn Collinson, aged 23, R.A.M.C, was killed on Nov. 28^th. In a letter to his parents his officer, Capt. Lawson, stated – “your son was struck by fragments of a shell, causing his death which was mercifully free from pain. It may not soften your grief at present, but in after years it will be some consolation to know that he died doing his duty from which he never flinched, but always performed nobly and well. He was a very fine lad, and I greatly regret his death. On behalf of his many friends, and of myself I send my sincere sympathy to you all in your great loss.” Staff-Sergt. Gibbs writes “As a soldier and a gentleman he will be much missed by his comrades. His life and conduct at all times were a credit to you, his parents.” Sergt. Campbell states “your son has been in my section ever since he joined, and I can say unhesitatingly that he has been an example to many in his devotion to duty and in the thoroughness in which he did his work at all times.” Messages of condolence have been received from the local war committee, and from the bible class of which the deceased was a member, the leader of the class (Mr. W. Blackburn) paying a fine tribute to his character, and the class reverently standing to express sympathy.’

Bowers Allerton Friday Bible Class, May 1919