Sidney Alfred Proctor Collier

Rank: Corporal

Regiment: 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment

Father: Mr A Collier

Father’s Address: 84 Sandygate Road, Folkestone

Other Info: An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 22nd July 1916 reads: “News has been received of the death in action of Corporal Sidney Alfred Proctor Collier, nephew of <text unclear> Collier of Cranford, St Peter’s Road, St Leonards.

Corporal Collier was only 27 years of age and belonged to the Devon Regiment. He was killed in the big push. He was held in the highest esteem by his comrades. Second Lieutenant J. G. Pocock, of the Devon Regiment, writing to the father, Mr Alfred Collier, brother of the late Mr W. Payne Collier of ‘The Briars’, Hastings says – ‘Dear Mr Collier, I am most distressed at the news of your son’s death in action, while leading his bombers, and I beg to offer you my deepest and sincere sympathies.

I knew your son when the battalion was raised till the Battle of Loos when I came back wounded. We picked him out of the ground in January 1915 I think, and I never regretted my choice. He wrote me several times since Loos and I followed his movements with utmost interest, because amongst many men in my platoon, there was none I liked more personally or appreciated more as an N.C.O. He was a good soldier, smart, and keen, and above all, cheerful, and I feel his loss very much.

In all his work your son was so quiet, and dependable, and all the officers in the Command shared my very high opinion of him. I feel certain he fell gallantly leading his men, and this helped to uphold the glorious tradition which the regiment holds.

We shall always be proud of him, and the others who paid the great price. If you have a copy of his photograph I should appreciate it very much. When I return to France there is none I shall miss more than him. It is hard to write all one feels, but I trust you will be comforted by the knowledge of our high opinion of you son, and that you will accept my sincerest sympathy in a loss which I fully realise is to you something greater than we can ever know.”

According to CWGC, Sidney died on 1st July 1916 is remembered at the Devonshire Cemetery, Mametz, grave reference A.6.

Published: July 1916

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