When you process a lot of information regarding the soldiers of the First World War you get “use” to the format of the forms such as the attestation papers. Every once and a while this research holds information that makes one pause and wonder about the service person being researched.
Private Thomas Collins, reg. no. 928739 service record was one.
On page 1 of his attestation papers he indicates that he has NO RELATIONS. This is highly unusual and the Canadian military bureaucracy did not particularly seem to like the fact that no relations had been indicated on his attestation papers.
As an example the FIRST “Error Slip” I have ever seen in a service record indicates the NEED of the military to have someone to contact in case of injury or death and the document responds to the query with “This man cannot give the name of friends.”
There is something lonely and tragic to think that Private Collins, born of Dublin, Ireland and resident in Chatham had no one to call his own a a family or friend.
As it turns out on his medal card his mother’s name and address are recorded and a friend. An Edward Masterson, Esq. of R.R. No. 1, Dover Centre, Ontario.
But thanks to those at Gathering Our Heroes web site and the efforts of others he is NOT forgotten.
May He Rest in Peace.
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History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 
Just wanted to let you know how much I’m enjoying reading your blog. Really well laid out and informative. And you’ve given me a few leads for my own family research. Much appreciated.
Catherine,
Thank you very much. I will send you an invite to the Facebook Group.
Eric