| Notes: | MFP. Awarded the Victory and War Medals. First served abroad (1) France, 29/7/1916 to 4/7/1918.From Middlesborough. Murdered. He was born in Stapelhurst. Formerly Royal Field Artillery NO. 126485. (served in RHA 3 1/2 years and RGA 7 years and 5 years in reserve). Re-enlisted and resided in Middlesbrough, occupation Police Officer. Transferred to MFP 11/7/1916. He was shot whilst trying to arrest 2nd Lieutenant J H Paterson 1 Bn Essex Regiment who had deserted. The officer was executed by firing squad at the end of Sept 1918,he is buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France. See book For the sake of example by Anthony Babington pages 184-186. Awarded the Victory and War Medals. Info from Army record: Re enlisted 7/12/1915 at Woolwich, Resided at 178 Cannon Street, Middlesborough, age 38, formerly a Police Sergeant. Record contains statements from witnesses to his death, they are hand written and water damaged. The Court of Enquiry was held at Calais on the 8/7/1918. Comments from Brigadier General, Base Commandant, Calais 18/7/1918. I concur with the opinion of the Court as to the circumstances under which Sergt. Collison met his death. I consider that had he acted with more promptitude and arrested 2nd Lieut. Paterson when he first met him at Pont de Coulogne at about 6.30 pm on the 3rd instant, the fatality would have been avoided. I consider therefore, that the deceased NCO is, for this reason partly to blame. I consider the conduct of L/Cpl Stockton open to question. Embarked Southampton on SS King Edward, 29/7/1916, arrived Rouen 30/7/1916. 5/8/1916 joined for duty Boulogne. 17/8/1916 admitted to 3 Canadian Gen Hospital with Influenza, 26/8/1916 re joined unit. 9/9/1916 admitted to 25 Gen Hospital (Handelot) Scabies. Discharged 15/9/1916. 9/3/1917 Joined PM 3 Army in the field. 4/4/1917 joined PM GHQ, BEF. Granted additional pay at 1/- per diem on appointment to detective L/Cpl, 13/6/1917 appointed Detective Sgt, additional pay decreased to 6d per diem. Various posting to PM 2 Army, PM 5 Army, 4 Army, 10/6/1918 still GHQ Detective Branch Calais.. List of property returned to his wife: Photos; picket book; 3 Church Army Badges; news cutting; small mirror; bunch of keys;watch, chain, medal and key attached; knife; handkerchief, Distinguished Conduct Medal, Meritorious Service Medal. His widows address in 1919 was 8 Harwood Terrace, Norwood Green, Nr. Southgate, Middlesex, who received a pension of 27/11p a week for her and two children. Telegram to his wife reads: Regret to inform you that a report received states No. P/3479 Act-Sergt H A Collison Military Foot Police died 4th July in France Full particulars will be forwarded by post when received.
Info from Army Register of Soldiers' Effects 1901-1929. 4/7/1918 found dead with bullet wound to chest, France. 22/10/1918 widow Louisa received £18, 13/11/1919 she received £18 war gratuity.
Info from pension index card: Harold Arthur Collison, No. P/3479, Sgt A/Paid, MFP, 2/7/198 died from guns shot wounds, widow Louisa E Collison, born 29/7/1975, 178 Cannon Street, Middlesborough. 17/6/1919 awarded grant of £7. Children Miriam L, born 26/8/1907, date of expiry 26/8/1923, Elanor M, born 18/7/1910, date of expiry 18/7/1926. 13/1/1919 awarded 29/2 d per week.
Harold Arthur Collison.
Middlesbrough. - Sgt Murdered in France. Mr Henry Riches, Chief Constable of Middlesbrough has reported to the Watch Committee the murder of Sgt Collison late of Middlesbrough Police Force. The report stated that Sgt Collison, who was specially employed as a detective-sergeant on the Staff of the Provost Marshal in France, was on July 3rd, murdered by a commissioned officer, who has since been dealt with in accordance with military law. Police Review, 7/32/1919. page 44.
Extract from the Lincolnshire Echo, 24/7/1918. Military Mystery.
A sensational tragedy at Calais is connected with the disappearance of a young Lieutenant. A Sergeant Major of the Military Foot Police was found shot dead on July 3rd, and it is know that the missing officer and the dead man had quarrelled on a serious matter. Since the discovery of the Sergeant Major's body nothing has been seen or heard of the officer who is wanted by the Military and Metropolitan Police. |
FRANCE
