Stephen Henry Collins: Monday 23rd December 1918

Stephen joined the Royal Engineers (No. 288717) as a Pioneer, before transferring to the 652nd Agricultural Coy., Labour Corps, where he was a promoted to Corporal. 

He died aged 42 on 23rd December 1918 at his billet and was buried locally in Earlsfield cemetery on 31 December 1918. The grave appears to be unmarked, as are a significant number of WW1 graves in London cemeteries.

Stephen was a dairy manager living at 14 Belleview Road before the war. He was originally from Chislett in Kent and was married to Lillian May, having had one child, David Henry born ~1909. Stephen’s sister lived with them and they kept a cook. Stephen and Lillian later lived at 320 Trinity Road, while his parents Stephen and Mary Ann moved to Chislett, Herne Bay.