Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private J. Collins, Royal Berkshire Regiment, who was killed in action on the First Day of the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915

1914-15 Star (14535 Pte. J. Collins. R. Berks: R.); British War and Victory Medals (14535 Pte. J. Collins. R. Berks. R.) nearly extremely fine (3) £80-£100

James Collins was born in Brimpton, Berkshire, and attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment at Reading. He served with the 8th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 7 August 1915, and was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915, the Battalion’s first action of the War. The battalion’s actions in that battle have been well-documented but a fair summary is given in a letter that Colonel Walton, who commanded the Battalion, wrote to his wife on 28 September:
‘Thank God I have been spared without a scratch after taking part in the greatest fight in history. Since Saturday 25th at 5.30 A.M. I have been in the firing line - at the very forefront and am of course dog tired as they ought to have relieved us earlier, but I was quite happy in my Regiment which did grandly and earned high praise - The losses very severe - I took in 20 officers + about 900 men + the remaining effective strength when I left them at 9 A.M. today was myself + 2 other officers + 200 men - All the rest were killed, wounded or missing - I hope many may still turn up.’

Collins was amongst those killed; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.

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