Searching for John Collins Family

[Bob J]

I am searching for any information about John Collins' ancestors, parents or family. The John Collins I am looking for was born c1926 in Aberfan and married Gwyneth Jones in August 1961.
Gwyneth and their boys died in the Aberfan disaster. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[acrosstheroad]

There was a John Collins VC, lived in caerhendy Street, Penydarren

[Bob J]

Hello Acrosstheroad, In what time period did John Collins live there, Not knowing the area could you explain where Penydarren is.

[acrosstheroad]

If you look at the Old Merthyr Tydfil web site map HERE you`ll see Penydarren towards the top. I will have access to a bit of history about him (John Collins) in a day or two, and will post it here, Admin may also like to add it to the site.

[acrosstheroad]

I don`t know if this is the same John Collins You are looking for, but this is the one who lived in Caerhendy Street. .....

====================================

Sargent John Collins V.C., D.C.D., M.M.,

A most remarkable man, John Collins, V.C., D.C.M., M.M., of the 25th(Montgomery & Welsh Horse) Battalion THE ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS.

Sargent Collins won the Victoria Cross on October 31, 1915 in Palestine.

Sargent Collins went out under heavy fire and brought wounded soldiers to safety. He then led a final assault. He bayonetted fifteen enemy and then with a Lewis gun, pressed on to take enemy guns.
The Royal Welch Fusiliers had always honoured Sargent Collins, his V.C. being in Caernarvon Museum, together with a photograph of him as a Home Guard.


He died in 1951, and is buried in Pant Cemetery.

[Bob J]

I appreciate the effort you have gone to but it must be another John Collins as our John Collins was married in 1951 and later had 3 children. Although it was a different John Collins the story is well worth telling. I thank you very much.

[acrosstheroad]

Ah well, worth a try, good luck in your search ....

[rphawort]

I am married to his 3rd child born in 1968

[Bob J]

Are you saying that you are related to " John Collins" born in Aberfan in 1926..

[rphawort]

May 24, 2011 16:23:49 GMT 1 Bob J said:

Are you saying that you are related to " John Collins" born in Aberfan in 1926..

After loosing his familly in Aberfan disaster John went on to marry again and have a daughter.

[markdvdman]

Sept 13, 2008 20:39:28 GMT 1 acrosstheroad said:

I don`t know if this is the same John Collins You are looking for, but this is the one who lived in Caerhendy Street. .....

====================================

Sargent John Collins V.C., D.C.D., M.M.,

A most remarkable man, John Collins, V.C., D.C.M., M.M., of the 25th(Montgomery & Welsh Horse) Battalion THE ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS.

Sargent Collins won the Victoria Cross on October 31, 1915 in Palestine.

Sargent Collins went out under heavy fire and brought wounded soldiers to safety. He then led a final assault. He bayonetted fifteen enemy and then with a Lewis gun, pressed on to take enemy guns.
The Royal Welch Fusiliers had always honoured Sargent Collins, his V.C. being in Caernarvon Museum, together with a photograph of him as a Home Guard.


He died in 1951, and is buried in Pant Cemetery.

This John was my great grandfather. My father tells me he was apparently a great man, but he was 2 when he died - his parents told him about him.

Married to Mary Ellen Collins.

I am looking to trace my ancestry

[lee23]

Sgt john Collins vc, is my great grandfather I grew up at caehendy st penydarren with my father Paul o Brien the grandson to john. ?

[lee23]

Two generations had the same name both named john

[monicafisher]

Hi my name is monica fisher .

I live in New Zealand .
My nan was John Collins Aunty ,I was so excited to see John on the aberfan site.
His photo was so sad what a terrible thing to have to endure the poor soul.
The photo was taken in his sister in laws house ,there was a photo on the table ,it is my Aunty dot an her polish husband in London .

She is my nanas brother John Collins Snr  daughter.we also had a photo like that at home.
i know that Bernice exists an that John had married again.
The other night I watched the aberfan doco on my iPad,it was so intresting to watch .

my dad lived in aberfan ,he always said that the slag heap would come down .i think dad went to that school ,my grandad worked at the dowlis steel mills.

My dad has passed this 25yrs as has my Aunty Mary  ,his sister my nans children.
nan  as a child had a large family,her mum died and her father sent for his  late wife's sister,who then married him and they had more children.My nan was not impressed with this at all.her step siblings were also her cousins.
does Bernice know Mary and Ray Nash in Solihull ?I stayed with them in 2004.but they are not good keeping in touch.I don't even know if Ray is still with us.His mum is a Collins an is my nans favourite sister.Uncle johnie snr was nans favourite brother.
 So much to tell you ,what I know of as nan told me a few things an my cousin here in New Zealand knows things as well. How we got to New Zealand is another Chapter in this amazing story.We would so love to hear from you guys.I am 65 an I have two grown sons 40 an 35 .40 yr old lives in Mackay  in Queensland ozzy.I was born in Birmingham uk .I have 6 siblings.hope to hear from you soon monica Taupo New Zealand .

[dummett13]

Bob J - a friend of mine has a suitcase of John Collins' belongings that was left in an attic by his sister who he moved in with after his family died. They are trying to locate the sister to give her the case