Collins, Allan Waddingham

Allan Collins was born on December 13, 1919 in Lethbridge, Alberta to parents Philip and Eleanor Collins. He was raised and educated in Lethbridge with brothers, Pat and Neal, attending Galbraith School, Bowman School and Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. Allan demonstrated a keen interest in flying at an early age, building and competing in model plane competitions with the Southern Alberta Model Aircraft Club. On September 4, 1939, Allan Collins enlisted for service with the 20th Battery Royal Canadian Artillery in Lethbridge. He was among the first young Canadians to enlist for service. Sergeant Collins served in the RCA in Canada and the United Kingdom until January 27, 1942, when he requested and received a transfer to the Royal Canadian Air Force. He returned to Canada for flying instruction, and on April 2, 1943, he received his pilot’s wings and a promotion to flying officer. In May 1943, Flying Officer Collins returned to the United Kingdom and was posted to 416 Squadron RCAF. An excellent pilot, he flew several missions over Europe in his Spitfire. On November 21, 1944, Flying Officer Collins was on an operational sortie over Belgium with several other RCAF aircraft from his squadron, when his Spitfire was involved in a midair collision. His plane crashed to the ground and he was killed instantly. Flying Officer Collins was laid to rest at Brussels Town Cemetery. For his wartime service, he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp