Herbert Alan Collins MM MSM (SN 832) , born in Ballarat, was 18 years of age when he enlisted on July 19th 1915. He embarked from Melbourne aboard the Wandilla on November 9th 1915 to serve with the 31st Battalion. He reached France in June 1916 but bouts of influenza caused him to be hospitalised for periods in the second half of that year. In June 1918 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, for his splendid work in the action at Fleurbaix , his citation in part reading: ‘he has repeatedly carried important messages from Company to Battalion Headquarters under heavy fire and has always set a splendid example to the other runners of the Battalion.' His bravery at this time also earned for him the Military Medal ‘for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at VILLERS CARBONNEL on 30/8/1817. Cpl Collins led his section across the Somme with great gallantry in the face of heavy artillery and machine gun fire.’ On September 30th 1918 he was wounded in action, gassed, and evacuated to hospital in England where he remained until hostilities ceased. He returned to Australia aboard the Lancashire, disembarking at Melbourne on March 31st 1919. He was discharged on August 19th.