The family of a soldier who died from his battle wounds 100 years ago have honoured his memory with a service in Flackwell Heath.

Descendants of 25-year-old soldier William Collins, who lived in Wycombe Marsh and Upper Marsh before going to France with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps in July 1915, gathered at the Christ Church in Chapel Road to remember his life on November 3 – exactly 100 years since he passed away.

William was wounded during the Battle of Loos and he was evacuated to the Connaught Hospital in Aldershot, where he died from his injuries – leaving behind a wife and two-year-old son, Cyril.

The bell at Christ Church in Flackwell Heath was tolled for two minutes in his honour at 11am, with William’s great-great-great granddaughter Georgina, 9, helping Rev’d Chris Bull ring the bell.

Bucks Free Press:

Rev'd Chris Bull helping Georgina Collins toll the bell in memory of her great-great-great grandfather William. Picture by John Gurney.

The soldier’s great-great nephew, Tom Collins, who lives in Vancouver Island, Canada and discovered his British relatives through family history research, made the trip over to England for the memorial.

He said: “I feel really honoured to be here, we have had a wonderful time. It was very moving.”

Great-great grandson, Barry Collins, from High Wycombe, said it was ‘amazing’ to see his daughter toll the bell in William’s memory.

Mr Collins had found out details of William’s life through extensive family history research and discovered he was buried at the Aldershot Military Cemetery.

He said: “The ceremony was very moving. It is difficult to imagine going off to war and leaving behind your family.

"My grandad, Cyril, was two when his father was killed and I think that affected him throughout his whole life. He grew up without a father.

“It really hits home how hard it must have been for soldiers and their families during the war.”