Martin Collins was born in Ballarat and was a Bootmaker by trade when he enlisted in the 29th Battalion, C Company on 17 July 1915 at the age of 26. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on 10 November 1915, spent several months in England, then moved to France in June 1916. In December 1916 he was evacuated to hospital in England suffering from Trench Feet, and was not able to return to the Front until October 1917. In October 1918, with the end of the war in sight, he was transferred to the 32nd Battalion, then, during Armistice Day celebrations he got something in his eye that caused an ulcer on his right cornea. He left England to return home on the Derbyshire in March 1919, and disembarked at Melbourne on April 22nd.
Tree No 3311