| William McCollum was the oldest known son of James and Martha McCollum. Martha’s maiden is spelt variously as Curry, Corry and Carry.
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| William was born on the 9th January 1882 in Clogher . He was one four children.
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| 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.
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| The 1901 census shows Willie as 19 years old. He was a grocery assistant. The family was living at Clogher Tenements, Clogher.
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| William served his apprenticeship in Mr James Morrow's grocery store in Clogher
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| It is believed William emigrated to Canada in 1909.
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| William’s brother, John McCollum, also emigrated to Canada and lived at Rosemount Farm, Delburne, Alberta.
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| The 1911 census does not list William as living with the family at Clogher Tenements, Clogher. His father was a stone mason.
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| 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.
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| Prior to enlisting, William was living in Victoria, British Columbia. He was working as a timekeeper.
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| 1916
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| William McCollum enlisted on 18th January 1916 at Calgary. He gives his next of kin as his mother, Martha. He was not married.
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| Private McCollum arrived in England on 30th August 1916.
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| 1917
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| Private McCollum received a gunshot wound to the left arm and was admitted to hospital in August 1917.
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| 1918
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| He was home in Tyrone on leave in January 1918.
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| 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,
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| 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.
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| From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 14 March 1918
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| 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.
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| From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 21 March 1918: Clogher Soldier Killed in Action
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| 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.
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| William McCollum's brother was the Assistant Station Master at Clogher.
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| Last Will and Testament
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| In his will, William left all to his mother.
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| 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.
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| 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:
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| 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.
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| The sum of $236, owing to me by my brother John McCollum of Rosemount Farm, Delburne, Alberta.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Memorials
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| Private W McCollum is buried in Sucrerie Cemetery, Albain St. Nazaire, France.
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| Private William McCollum is commemorated locally on the WWI tablet in St Macartan's Cathedral in Clogher.
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| Private William McCollum is also commemorated locally on Clogher War Memorial.
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| The CWGC record Private W McCollum as the son of James and Martha McCollum of Clogher, County Tyrone, Ireland.
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