Walter James Collier – Army Service Record

This is a summary of Walter James Collier's Army Service:

1. Walter James Collier applied for six years Army Service and six years Army Reserve. In his application he stated that he belonged to the King’s Own Tower Hamlets Militia.

2. Walter enlisted on 25 May 1880 and joined the 27th Brigade, when he was nearly 19 years old

3. His next of kin was given as his father Charles Collier, 7 Anderson Road, Homerton. His brothers are also mentioned in his service record:

William John Collier, elder brother and 3 younger brothers:
Edward George Collier
Charles Robert Collier
Alfred Ernest Collier

In the 1881 Census, the family, including the 3 younger brothers, were living in Webbs Yard, Homerton.

4. Walter’s service record was:

Home
- 1 Year 217 days (1880/1)
Gibraltar
- 229 days (1881/2)
Egypt
- 61 days (1882)
India
- 4 Years 56 days (1882/6)
Home (Reserve)
- 5 Years 167 days (1886/92)
Total: 12 Years

It appears that he was awarded 3 medals and was discharged on 24 May 1892.

At the time of the Census in 1891, he was back living with the family in Anderson Road, his address when he got married in 1894.

5. He initially joined the 27th Brigade for 161 days. After that he joined the 45th Regiment for 241 days, before joining the Derbyshire Regiment. He duly saw 6 years’ service and was in reserve for a further 6.

6. We know from the 1881 Census and family knowledge that he joined the Sherwood Foresters. This was initially the 45th Regiment, which became the Nottinghamshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters). The latter merged with the Derbyshire Regiment to form the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment).

From the entry in the 1891 Census, we know that Walter was a Private in the 2nd Derby Army Reserve

A. The Egyptian Campaign 1882

7. His army record shows that Walter took part in the Egyptian Campaign and received 2 medals:

(i) The silver Egypt Medal (awarded 1882-1889) which would have had a blue and white striped ribbon and would have had his name on it.

(ii) The Khedive Bronze Star (awarded 1882-1891)

In the photo taken in Egypt, Walter is wearing the 2 medals and crossed rifles on his sleeve.

B. The Sikkim Expedition 1882/1888

The Regiment went on to India. He would have received the India General Service Medal, which was also issued for a large number of small wars and expeditions including Sikkim.

If the medal was for Sikkim, the bar would have read Sikkim 1888.

The Army Service Records and Awards of Medals are available online and it would be useful to have Walter’s service number.

Colin Bower
30 April 2022