Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.S.O. group of five awarded to Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel R. T. Collins, Royal Army Medical Corps, who was killed in action while serving as C.O. of No. 17 Field Ambulance in September 1918

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, in its Garrard, London case of issue; 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt., R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col.); French Croix de Guerre 1914-1917, with silver star riband fitment, nearly extremely fine (5) £1400-1600

D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1918.
Mention in despatches London Gazette 24 December 1917.

Reginald Thomas Collins was born in Dublin in December 1879 and was educated at Dulwich College and Guy’s Hospital, where he qualified in 1902. Shortly afterwards he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps, with whom he served out in India 1905-10, gaining advancement to Captain in February 1907. On the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, he immediately went out to France, and was actively employed in the retreat from Mons and subsequent actions. Advanced to Major in February 1915 and to Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel in September 1916, Collins took command of 17 Field Ambulance but was killed in action on 18 September 1918 during the German final retreat, and was buried on the spot in the Trefcon British Cemetery at Caulaincourt in Picardy. Army Medical Services states ‘French Legion of Honour, War Cross 6 November 1918’.

Sold with several old photographs depicting the recipent’s gravestone and views of Trefcon British Cemetery, together with an Imperial War Graves Commission letter, dated 20 July 1937.

Croix de Guerre London Gazette 6 November 1918; Legion of Honour not gazetted