Sergeant Francis Collins Timeline

By 20collinss

  • World War 1 begins

    The war would go on for another 4 years.

  • The 14th Battalion Embark to Fight in Gallipolli

    After training at the Broadmeadows camp for many months the battalion embarked to Egypt.

  • The 14th Battalion Lands in Gallipoli

    The 14th Battalion was one of the first units to land on the shores of Gallipoli at the beginning of the ANZAC campaign. They were one of the main units in charge of protecting the land.

  • The Battalion Leave Gallipoli and Return to Egypt

    Upon returning to Egypt there was only 50 members of the original 14th Battalion left.

  • Francis and the 13th Reinforcement Embark to go to Egypt

    Francis and his unit, the 14th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement, embark on the HMAS 'Demosthenes' to go to Egypt.

  • The 13th Reinforcement Arrive in Egypt

    5 months after embarking, the Francis and the 13th Reinforcement arrive in Serapeum. They are one of many reinforcements added to the 14th Battalion.

  • The 14th Battalion Set Sail for the Western Front in France

    A month after landing, Francis and the rest of the 14th Battalion leave for France.

  • Battle in Pozieres

    The first major battle Francis was involved in. Throughout their time they partook in trench warfare.

  • Trench Warfare in Bullecourt, France

    Francis and the rest of the unit then traveled to Bullecourt, France.

  • Francis Gets Injured

    Francis was injured while serving in Bullecourt. He ended up remaining on duty.

  • Many Members of the 14th Battalion Die

    Many of the men in the 14th Battalion ended up dying in Bullecourt, France in April as a result of attacking the Germans without the needed tank support.

  • Francis Dies in Germany

    Francis ended up dying from wounds as a German prisoner of war at the main dressing station in Wurtemburg, Germany. He is buried at Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery in Haucourt France (Plot XI, Row D, Grave No. 4).

  • The 14th Battalion in Belgium

    After Francis' death, his battalion then went on to go to fight in Belgium for the rest of the year. They advanced to the Hindenburg Line.

  • Stopping the German Spring Offensive

    In March and April, the 14th Battalion aided in stopping the German Spring Offensive along with the other allies. This is where things start going downhill for Germany..

  • The Great Allied Offensive

    Near Amiens, the unit participated in the Great Allied Offensive. This day was the greatest success in a single day on the Western Front for the Allies and was described as the 'darkest day' for the Germans.

  • The End of World War 1

    The German's signed an armistice, and the war ended.

  • The Surviving Members Go Home

    The survivors of the 14th Battalion and the 13th Reinforcement began leaving France and Egypt to come home to Australia.