THE FATE OF A HERO.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13507, 29 August 1912, Page 8

THE FATE OF A HERO.

There is at present in the infirmary of tho Cambridge Workhouse an ex-non-commissioned officer of the Army who holds the Victoria Cross, and is a member of a family of soldiers—three brothers, two sons, and eight nephews either serving or having served in various branches of tho Army. The man is James Collis, who was born in Cambridge in 1851, and enlisted in tho 46th Foot in 1872. Ho was transferred to th© R.H.A., and went out to India, where he arrived just before, the. war broke out with Afghanistan. Collis wont to tho front with Major Blackwood and E Battery of B Brigade of the R.H.A., and was present at tho disaster at Maiwand, when the British force was almost annihiliated by Ayub 2Oian. Collis, who was then a gunner, loaded sick and wounded on his gun and made for the British base. Ho was nearly cut off on the way, and to save his charges unlimbered his gun, under fire of which the wounded were removed to the limber. He wasrijelieved by a troop of Bombay cavalry, under General- Nut-tall, who complimented him upon his bravery. Shortly afterwards Collis again came under notice. A sortie had been made from Kandahar, and the experience of Maiwand was. in danger of ' being repeated. General Primrose came into the bastion where Collis was serving a gun, and asked for a volunteer to take a message to recall General Brooke Collis volunteered; and lowered himself down the wall under fire, and succeeded in reaching General Brooks. Twelve months later, at a. parade on the Poonah Racecourse, Collis had his name called out, and had the Victoria Cross pinned on his coat by Lord Roberts (then General Roberts). Collis afferwards joined tho Bombay Police, in which he became an inspector, and experienced .various Ho returned to England, where his health gave way, and he finally decided to make for his native place, whose workhouse infirmary.-now. "shelters' him.