COLLAR, Philip Albert


No.146171, Fitter, Philip Albert COLLAR
Aged 21


"D" Battery, 68th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Killed in Action on Wednesday, 2nd October 1918


Philip Albert COLLAR was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q3-1897 4A: 764), son of Albert Charles and Edith Kate COLLAR (née IRON).

1901 census...Aged 3, Albert Philip was at 22 Mount Road, Haverhill, with his father Albert Charles COLLAR [25] wheelwright born Halstead; his mother Edith Kate [25] knapsack machinist born Haverhill; sister Edith Conoula [2] born Haverhill and a boarder, Charles FERMIN [44] born Halstead.

1911 census...Aged 13, he was at 30 Hamlet Road, Haverhill, with his parents; sisters Edith, Kathleen [9] and Winifred [2] both born in Haverhill.


He enlisted in Haverhill. It looks as if a transfer amongst brigades has not been recorded, since 68 Brigade RFA never appear to have served in on the Western Front. That being so it is impossible without his service record to ascertain where he was killed and with which unit.

The South West Suffolk Echo on 26th October 1918 reported :-
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Collar of 30,Hamlet Road, Haverhill, have been officially notified that their only son, Fitter Philip Albert Collar, of the R.F.A. was killed in action in France on October 2nd. Deceased, who was only twenty one years of age, was employed at the iron works prior to joining up in March 1916. He was in training for seven weeks before proceeding to France.
The sad intelligence first arrived in the form of a letter from Gunr.A.Howard of Yeldham, who was a chum of the deceased. He wrote:- "I am very sorry to have to write and tell you the bad news respecting the death of your son, Philip Collar, who was killed in action on October 2nd at early morn. The place where it happened, and how it happened I am not allowed to state, but I am pleased to say he suffered no pain, as he was killed instantly. The sympathy of the battery is great for his parents, as he was a brave and most intelligent lad. He was also nearly due for leave. It nearly broke my heart to write about it, but if there is any possible chance of getting his private property I will bring it home, if I ever have the luck to return to Yeldham again. I will beg of you to accept my deepest sympathy to the family in the loss of your son".

The following communication was received from the Lieutenant:-"No doubt by the this time you will have received the sad news of the death of your son, Fitter Collar. I write this as his Section Commander and on behalf of the Officers, N.C.O's and men of this Battery to offer our deepest sympathy. He was loved and esteemed by all. It may be of some consolation to you to know that he did not suffer, death was instantaneous. He was in a dug-out, on which there was a direct hit, and he lost his life with four other comrades. Collar was always energetic, willing and eager, and in him I have lost a good soldier. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy"


After the war the small cemetery at Pontruet, Ste Helene British, (2 miles NNW of St Quentin) was concentrated to Cerisy-Gailly but there are special memorials to commemorate five casualties buried at Maricourt and Ste. Helene whose graves could not be found. Philip's is one of these.




photo: Rodney Gibson

Philip Collar is commemorated in Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery - Ste Helene British Cemetery, Pontruet. memorial 1
also commemorated in the Old Independent Church, Haverhill

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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