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.
Ablain-St. Nazaire is a village approximately 13 kilometres north of Arras. Take the D937 (Bethune Road) to the village of Souchez. Make a left turn along the D57. The cemetery lies 1 kilometre on the left side of this road.
