Source: 18th Battalion Nominal Roll, April 1915.
Find-A-Grave Tentative
Family Search: Private Edward George Collins was born in Chatham, Kent, England, United Kingdom as the son of Collins and Mary. He immigrated to Canada in 1913. He registered for military service in 1916. In 1915, his occupation is listed as stove mounter in London, Ontario, Canada. He died on 18 July 1972, in London, Ontario, Canada, and was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, West McGillivray, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada (Tentative).
EPIDEMIC OF MEASLES IN 18TH BATTALION
Pte. Collins Writes to His Parents of Work Being Done by Canadians.
Pte. E. G. Collins, of the 18th Battalion, writing from England to his parents, who reside at 502 Nelson street, says that an epidemic of measles has broken out among the men.
“They sure are putting it into us right over here,” he says. “We go out every day on long marches with all of our pack on our back and carry a pick and shovel as well as our rifle. Talk about a pack horse, this puts them in the shade. I will not be afraid to work on the sewers or anything else when I get out of here because we have to use the pick and shovel every day.
“The measles have broken out among the men but it is not very bad and there is no need to get frightened. I am still in the best of health. Are we downhearted? No!”
Two other brothers of Pte. Collins have enlisted. One is with the 33rd Battalion and the other a member of the 7th Regiment Guard.
London Free Press. 6 July 1915.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 