Born in December 1897, Harold John Collin was the son of Alice Beatrice Collin and John Alfred Collin, a print manager. In 1911, he and his parents were living at 26 Holmwood Road, Seven Kings, Ilford. He attended Coopers Company School in Bow from 1911 to 1913.
Harold Collin served in the London Regiment as a rifleman. He fought at The Battle of the Scarpe, a battle which did not get off to a great start as heavy rain the previous night caused the ground to become slippery, leading to a delay in assembling the troops. After three days of intense fighting, an important part of the trench system was taken with more than 3,300 prisoners and 5,801 casualties. Harold was killed in action on 27th August 1918 - the second day of The Battle of Scarpe – aged 20 years.
Harold John Collin is buried at Bucquoy Road Cemetery in France.
Some information / extracts have been reproduced with kind permission of Karen Pack from her book ‘Coopers’ Boys & Coborn Girls: Their Part in the Great War’ © Karen Pack, 2015
Sources:
Ancestry.com
ICHS school records and magazines
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Harold, who was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Collin, finished his schooling at the Coopers' Company School. As an apprentice in the Printing Trade he took an enthusiastic interest in his craft. Harold was ever a thoughtful lad, fond of music, devoted to his parents, and finding his chief joy in his home. At the same time he was keen on sport and was one of the original members of our Football Club, as well as his father's assistant in the Boys Gymnasium. His interest in the Bible Class was unfailing, and he discharged the duty of Organist with ability and enthusiasm. He enlisted in the London Rifle Brigade at the age of 18 ½ years. In his army training and amid the perilous experiences at the front, the nobility of his character shone through. He revealed a nature singularly calm and strong; he had a sure hold of the Eternal, and did not hesitate to bear witness of his strong faith in God, and his loyalty to Jesus Christ.
Reproduced from Homage: A Record of Our Heroes (a commemorative booklet produced by Seven Kings United Methodist Church c.1920)