MOOSE JAW — Matthew Collins and his brother George fought during World War I and They have been honored with banners in the centerjoining others brothers Donald, Edward, Emmett and Leo, who were added last year.

This story presents the biographies of Matthew and George, with information taken from the City of Moose Jaw Website.

This is part 3 of 8 in a series.

Matthew Samuel Collins

Matthew Samuel Collins (March 23, 1890 – December 31, 1976) was the fifth of eight sons and one daughter of Matthew George Collins and Margaret Ann (McNeil) Collins.

Matthew Samuel served in World War I with his brothers George, Emmett and Edward; Brothers Leo and Donald served in World War II. Five brothers lived at the same time in Moose Jaw, where Matthew and Ed owned an electrical company before enlisting.

Matthew served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force with the Canadian Railway Construction Corps from 1915 to 1919 in Canada, Great Britain and France, achieving the rank of lance corporal. He received the King George Medal for Meritorious Conduct at the Battle of St. Pol, the Star of 1914-15, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Matthew attended St. Boniface College from 1903 to 1907. He was a talented athlete, catching baseball for his brother, Leo, at a major league caliber, and they were considered one of the best drummers in Saskatchewan. Matthew also played hockey and soccer.

On August 26, 1925, Matthew married Anne Mae McNeil (born November 6, 1906 in Cape Breton, NS, died March 9, 1961). They raised 11 children, including eight sons and three daughters.

Matthew was an inspector for the Saskatchewan Liquor Board and later became a sales representative for Canada Life Assurance Company. An active member of Holy Rosary Cathedral Parish in Regina, Matthew served as president of the Regina Separate School Board, was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the third order of Saint Francis.

George Donald Collins

With the First World War raging and desperate for recruiting, in the fall of 1915, George Donald Collins was accepted into the Canadian Expeditionary Force despite his health problems.

As the second oldest of nine siblings (eight of them boys), he was eager to join two of his brothers in the line of duty and enlisted on November 19, 1915. His certification papers mention that he suffered from lumbar tuberculosis, but “ I should be fit.” do telegraph work.”

Unfortunately, the overseas trip required him to be hospitalized immediately upon landing in Britain, first at Shorncliffe and then at Bramshott. In April 1917, he was deemed permanently disabled and sent to Winnipeg to convalesce.

George never recovered and was never on active duty during his enlistment, and despite his illness and pain, George was determined to fight alongside his brothers and comrades and willing to give his life for his country. He later earned the British War Medal.

George died on July 23, 1919, aged 34. He never married or had children. He is buried in the family plot in Broadview, Sask.

We will remember it.