Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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808209   Private William McCollum
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 24/08/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 50th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Canadian Army)
Date Of Birth: 09/01/1882
Died: 19/02/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age: 36
Summary      
William McCollum was the son of James and Martha McCollum. He was born on the 9th January 1882 in Clogher. He was one four children. He became a grocery assistant. The family lived Clogher. His father was a stone mason. William emigrated to Canada where he settled in in Victoria, British Columbia. He was working as a timekeeper. He enlisted in January 1916. Private McCollum was shot in the arm in August 1917 but recovered. Private William McCollum was serving with the 50th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment) when he was killed in action in France on 19th February 1918.
Further Information
William McCollum was the oldest known son of James and Martha McCollum. Martha’s maiden is spelt variously as Curry, Corry and Carry.
William was born on the 9th January 1882 in Clogher . He was one four children.
Known family: James McCollum, Martha McCollum, William McCollum (born 9th January 1882, Clogher), Thomas McCollum (born 10th August 1886, Clogher), Alfred McCollum (born 21st December 1888, Clogher), John McCollum.
The 1901 census shows Willie as 19 years old. He was a grocery assistant. The family was living at Clogher Tenements, Clogher.
Clogher Main Street
William served his apprenticeship in Mr James Morrow's grocery store in Clogher
It is believed William emigrated to Canada in 1909.
William’s brother, John McCollum, also emigrated to Canada and lived at Rosemount Farm, Delburne, Alberta.
The 1911 census does not list William as living with the family at Clogher Tenements, Clogher. His father was a stone mason.
It seems William did quite well in Canada. In his will, see below, he had acquired several plots of land and had taken out life insurance.
Prior to enlisting, William was living in Victoria, British Columbia. He was working as a timekeeper.
1916
William McCollum enlisted on 18th January 1916 at Calgary. He gives his next of kin as his mother, Martha. He was not married.
William McCollum Attestation Paper - page 1
William McCollum Attestation Paper - page 2
Private McCollum arrived in England on 30th August 1916.
1917
Private McCollum received a gunshot wound to the left arm and was admitted to hospital in August 1917.
1918
He was home in Tyrone on leave in January 1918.
Private William McCollum was serving with the 50th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment) when he was killed in action in France on 19th February 1918,
The Canadian Circumstances of Death Register records that Private McCollum was killed in action on 19th February 1918. His unit were in trenches south west of Lens at the time.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 14 March 1918
Official intimation has been received by Mrs McCollum, Clogher, that her son Private William McCollum, of the Canadians, ad been killed in action on 19th February.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 21 March 1918: Clogher Soldier Killed in Action
On Sunday morning last Mrs McCollum, Clogher, received official intimation from the War Office that her son Private William McCollum, 50th Battalion, Canadians, had been killed in action on 19th February. The deceased was 36 years of age, served his apprenticeship in Mr James Morrow's grocery store in Clogher and afterwards emigrated to Canada where he enlisted in January 1916. He was wounded in the latter part of last year and was home on leave in January last. He was a general favourite and much sympathy is felt for his mother and brother, who is Assistant Station Master at Clogher.
William McCollum's brother was the Assistant Station Master at Clogher.
Last Will and Testament
In his will, William left all to his mother.
Last will and testament of William McCollum of B Company of 137 O Battalion CEF. Sarcee in the province of Alberta on 11th August 1916.
I revoke all former wills by me heretofore made and declare this only to be and contain my last will and testament. I direct all my just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses to be paid and satisfied by executor hereinafter named as soon as conveniently may be after my death. I give devise and bequeath all my real and personal estate of which I possess in the manner following:
The benefits accruing from my life insurance policy in the Federal Life Insurance Company of Canada (head office Hamilton, Canada), now amalgamated with the Sun Life Assurance company of Canada and are my interests in my lots numbered 4 and 5, block B section, 50 Map 1257, Royal Oak, British Columbia, and lot 3 block C section 23 Map 982, Oak Bay, Victoria.
The sum of $236, owing to me by my brother John McCollum of Rosemount Farm, Delburne, Alberta.
All the above absolutely to my mother Martha McCollum of Clogher, County Tyrone, Ireland; and in the event of her predeceasing me, all to my younger brother Alfred McCollum of Clogher, County Tyrone, Ireland.
All the residue of my estate. Not hereinbefore disposed of, I give devise and bequeath unto viz my personal effects tom my brother, John McCollum of Rosemount Farm, Delburne, Alberta and I nominate and appoint John McCollum of Rosemount Farm, Delburne, Alberta to be the executor of this, my will.
Memorials
Private W McCollum is buried in Sucrerie Cemetery, Albain St. Nazaire, France.
Private William McCollum is commemorated locally on the WWI tablet in St Macartan's Cathedral in Clogher.
Private William McCollum is also commemorated locally on Clogher War Memorial.
The CWGC record Private W McCollum as the son of James and Martha McCollum of Clogher, County Tyrone, Ireland.
Read more
Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Clogher Tenements Clogher Census listing in Clogher Tenements 54.416683 -7.161376
GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
09/01/1882 B McCollum William Casualty U/1882/107/1026/8/34 Curry
10/08/1886 B McCollum Thomas Sibling U/1886/107/1026/9/101 Curry
21/12/1888 B McCollum Alfred Sibling U/1888/107/1026/9/359 Corry
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists McCollum family Lists William as age 19 living with the family at house 13 in Clogher Tenements, Clogher
2 1911 Census lists McCollum family Does not list William as living with the family at house 1 in Clogher Tenements, Clogher
3 BillionGraves.com Photo of Private William McCollum's grave
4 Canadian Great War Project Details of Private William McCollum
5 Canadian Virtual War Memorial Details of William McCollum
6 Circumstances of Death Registers Details of Lance Private William McCollum's death
7 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private William McCollum's grave can be purchased here
8 William McCollum Attestation Papers Canadian Military documents (40 no.)
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023