Sidney Thomas Collins

[Olida]

Hello,

I'm seeking information on a Sidney Thomas Collins. He would have been around 30 in 1947. I think he lived in the Hampshire area.
I have no other real facts to be honest as that side of the family has passed on, however, I did hear stories when I was child about Sidney Thomas Collins being involved/caught up in a train incident whilst he was serving in the British Army in Africa nearing the end of WW2.
Sidney is my Grandfather so I am very keen to learn more, this is my first shot at this so any advise would be really helpful.

Many thanks,
Olida

[lizdb]

Was he married to your grandmother? If so a copy of the marriage cert would be a good idea, as it will give his fathers name etc.

[MaxD]

I wonder whether the family story has, as many do, become garbled over the years. The Western Daily Press reports: a Sidney Thomas Collins, a lorry driver, of New Milton Hampshire was found guilty in October 1943 for dangerous driving when four soldiers were killed in his lorry when he drove it into a train on a level crossing.  The location isn't named but it would have been in England.  Easy for that to turn into a different story over time.

Doesn't help us find him though, lizdb's advice is the line to follow.

[MaxD]

Grandmother Gladys nee Breaker???

[jim1]

I can't see a birth for him as Si(y)dney (Thomas) Collins c.1917. Could he have been Irish?

[Kay99]

The lorry driver Sidney Thomas Collins in the incident that maxD  posted in 1947 1943 was aged 33  so born about 1910 if correct

Kay

[jim1]

I searched 1910-25 & couldn't see him. 33 would give a BY of 1914.

[Kay99]

Sorry - the date of the newspaper was 1943 - Have changed my post

[jim1]

1 Sidney Thomas born 1910 Kidderminster.