Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to include a Fine Collection of Napoleonic Medals

Jubilee 1897, bronze (Sergt. Major D. M. Collins, K.C.H.) in Wyon case of issue, scratch to obverse left field, very fine
£100-140

Dennis Matthew Collins was born in Cornwallis, Kings County, Nova Scotia in September 1866. Employed as a Telegraph Linesman. Served in the King’s Canadian Hussars and as Sergeant-Major he was one of four men chosen to represent the regiment at the Jubilee celebrations of 1897. The total Canadian contingent, from various units, consisted of 202 men, all under the command of Colonel M. Aylmer. Collins would have ridden in the Jubilee Parade procession as part of the Canadian contingent of mounted troops on 22 June 1897. On 3 July the Canadians were presented with their Jubilee Medals at Buckingham Palace, officers being awarded the medal in silver, other ranks in bronze.

In March 1916 Collins volunteered to serve with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. His attestation paper noted 22 years service in the Kings Canadian Hussars. Serving in the 219th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) Collins arrived in England in October 1916. Ill-health caused him to be returned to Canada in September 1917 and he was discharged as medically unfit. Entitled to the British War Medal 1914-20. In later years Collins was employed as Caretaker at the Armouries at Kentville and he was Sergeant-at-Arms with the Kings Branch of the Canadian Legion. Dennis Collins died in Kentville in April 1941, aged 74 years and was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Sold with copied service papers, roll extracts and newspaper obituary. With two copied group photographs.