William Collingwood was born on the 25th November 1876, at Newburn, Northumberland, the third son of (the late) John Collingwood, of Denton Burn, Scotswood, Northumberland, Coal Miner, and his wife Eleanor, daughter of William Millar. They resided at 1, Stone Row, Denton Burn, Scotswood-on-Tyne, Newcastle.
William was educated at Denton Burn and was employed at the Monatgu [Montague] Colliery, Denton Burn. He married at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on the 6th March 1909 Mary Jane, (98 Delaval Road, West Benwell, Newcastle), eldest daughter of Jacob Heslop. They had three children George Heslop, born 13th November 1911, Winifred, born 11th October 1909 and Eleanor born 1st April 1914.
William enlisted at Berwick-on-Tweed on the 31st October 1898 in the King's Own Scottish Borderers. He served in South Africa and was involved at actions at Paardeberg, Johannesburg and Cape Colony. He was awarded the Queen's and King's medals and 5 bars and was also presented with a certificate for good services in the Mounted Infantry on the 26th May 1903.
On the outbreak of war he was called to the colours, 4th August 1914. Embarked with the 2nd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers on the 15th August.
William was in the Battle of Mons and several subsequent actions. Was in the retreat to Compiegne, he returned home on sick leave for some time before returning to France in October 1914.
He was killed in action in the 2nd Battle of Ypres by a shrapnel shell bursting in a trench on the 5th March 1915. He was buried at Zillebeke, near Ypres.
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
He is remembered in Benwell on B86.02
