Memorial Maurice Collins

Unveiled by Mr Kolkman on 3 May 2017 in the presence of the Collins family, after completion of the Collins Remembrance Trail.
The Collins Remembrance Trail was the result of "the Black Watch trail" of 2015, when the liberation fire from Bayeux was brought to Holten by the cycling association and the athletics association from Holten together. In relay form: walking and cycling.

Cpl Maurice Willis Collins 01 - A – 02
Maurice Collins was born on November 1920 in Dobbington, south of Owen Sound, Ontario. He was the son of Albert and Emmie Collins. He lived in a farmer family with 7 children.
Before he enlisted on February 18, 1942 he was an unmarried farmer, 1.82m tall and he weighed 83 kg. He was attached to the Black Watch Royal Highland Regt. of Canada and finally reached the rang of corporal.

His brother Albert Erle went into the Army at the same time. On July 6 1944 exactly a month after D-Day Maurice landed with his unit in Normandy. Their advance went through France, Belgium and Zeeland. In the last phase of the war the regiment had the order to penetrate to Groningen. But Maurice was unfortunately killed in action on Sunday April 8, 1945 near the hamlet Beusenberg when they approaches the village of Holten. First he was temporary buried at the yard of a nearby farm and later on December 16 1945 reburied in Holten.

At his headstone: Greater love Hath no man than this, That a man lay down His life for his friends

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