Randy Evans

On Nov. 7, 1921 members of the local Great War Veterans Association attended the graves and memorials of colleagues at Sarnia and Aamjiwnaang cemeteries.

One of the graves they visited was that of Private Ivan James Collins. His tale is that of a tragic and possibly preventable death.

When Collins was born in Sarnia on Aug. 14, 1897 three generations of his family lived in town. At the age of 12 his immediate family moved to Toronto, where Collins completed school and entered the work force as a clerk.

But things changed when the eighteen-year-old visited a Toronto enlistment office on New Year’s Day, 1916.

During the First World War, Canada’s military brass constantly complained of the lack of manpower at their disposal. In an attempt to bolster the numbers, recruiters would often turn a blind eye to age and other matters that could disqualify a potential enlistee.

Such was the case with Ivan Collins.

His enlistment papers noted that a medical examination had confirmed Collins had a “Ventral Systole Murmur,” a cardiac condition that carries risks ranging from benign to fatal.

With his above average height of six feet, Collins’ physique was just the type the Army needed and he was designated a driver with the 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column.

Just two days after arriving in England, Private Collins was assigned to a detail unloading heavy transport. He over-exerted himself and the physical distress required emergency hospitalization on March 27, 1916. 

According to medical records, he was “seriously ill” with an acute dilation of the heart and had suffered “cardiac failure.” 

Remarkably, Collins survived, and after three and a half months of hospitalization and convalescing the young man was discharged and returned to duty in June of 1916.

Because of his health, the brass prohibited Collins from joining his unit in France. It’s not known if he was offered and declined a return home, which sometimes happened with soldiers.

In any event, his superiors did not order a medical discharge. Sadly, the inevitable ending began with a hospital admission on Oct. 19, 1916 for an “enlarged heart.”

Private Ivan James Collins died three days later at 7 p.m. He was only nineteen years of age. The Sarnia Observer reported:

“The body of Ivan J. Collins a young Sarnia soldier who died in England on October 22 last will arrive here tomorrow … [Collins] was well known to many of our citizens having practically resided here all his life…Funeral from the residence of his Grandmother Mrs. James Collins 261 Queen St.”

Today, Private Collins rests beneath a military tombstone located at the family plot in Lakeview Cemetery.

His name is not commemorated on the Sarnia cenotaph.

Lest we forget.