Pte. Alexander Dougald Collins

64th Battalion

Canada

1916

In this studio portrait photo, Pte. Collins is wearing a standard issue seven button Canadian tunic with an Oliver pattern leather waist belt. On his head is a “Gor’Blimey” winter service dress cap. Visible are cap and collar badges for the 64^th Battalion. He holds a swagger stick in his hands. The photo was probably taken in Halifax before the battalion went overseas.

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  22-4 (1.3)
Image Information:  Scan of of original photo postcard
Source:  Joan (Collins) Perry 2022

_________________________________________

Short Biography and Record of Service

Acting Corporal Alexander Dougald Collins
Service Number 471000
Killed in Action September 23, 1918
25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles)

Alexander Dougald Collins was born in South West Margaree, Inverness County, NS, on November 19, 1890, the son of Angus and Mary (Coady) Collins, also of South West Margaree. Alexander enlisted in the 64^th Battalion in Halifax on January 28, 1916, with the rank of private. His attestation papers list his trade as structural iron worker.

The 64^th Battalion was authorized in the spring of 1915 and mobilized in Sussex, NB. Most of the officers came from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia but because of recruiting requirements of other battalions in the Maritimes at the time, the majority of the recruits came from Nova Scotia. The battalion relocated to the Halifax waterfront in late November, 1915, where it went into winter quarters at Pier 2. It was here that Alexander joined the unit. On March 31, 1916, the battalion embarked for England on the troop ship SS Adriatic. The battalion trained at various locations in England before being informed that it would remain in England and its men would be sent as reinforcements to units at the front. 

On June 17, 1916, Alexander was transferred to the Canadian Ordinance Corps at Ashford in England. His rank was armourer acting corporal. The Canadian Ordinance Corps maintained weapons and transport for the army. On March 31, 1917, while still part of the Canadian Ordinance Corps, he was attached to the 26^th Canadian Reserve Battalion. Six months later, on October 6, 1917, Alexander reverted to the rank of private and transferred to the 26^th Canadian Reserve Battalion. A week later the 26^th was absorbed by the 17^th Reserve Battalion located at Bramshott, England.

On November 18, 1917, Alexander crossed the Channel as a reinforcement for the 25^th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles), and joined them in the field in France on December 11, 1917. In August he was promoted to acting corporal.

On September 19, 1918, the 25^th Battalion rotated back into the front lines south east of Inch-En-Artois in France. Over the next several days, under heavy shelling, both the Canadians and Germans attempted to expand their positions through localized attacks and counterattacks. On September 23, The Germans attacked 25^th Battalion outposts from two flanks under a covering barrage. The attack was repulsed with casualties on both sides. Alexander was reported missing during the fighting that day and presumed to have died. The Canadian government Circumstances of Death Register for Alexander Dougald Collins states, “From information available, he was last seen lying in the side of the road, on the morning of September 23^rd, 1918, wounded in both legs and arms by machine gun bullets”. Alexander was 27 years old. His body was not officially recovered.

Alexander Dougald Collins’ name is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

To connect with this webpage's Personal Profile on Alexander Dougald Collins containing additional information and photos, click HERE. Use your back button to return to this page.