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Denis Collinan - Information

Denis Collinan, (sometimes referred to as Callinan), was a son of immigrant David Collinan. After David arrived in Australia, he married Emily Blanche Dickens in 1874. The family lived at Warialda and Inverell, before settling down at Rosebank on Chester Rd in Ingleburn. Denis was born in 1888 in Inverell, and attended the Convent School in Kensington before completing a 3 year apprenticeship as a jockey with John Gorgh at Randwick Raceway. When war commenced, Denis was working as a clerk and living at 63 Young St in Redfern.

Denis then decided to enlist in the AIF, signing on at Moore Park on the 18th of September 1916. He joined up with mate, Patrick Tyrell, the husband of his sister, Katherine. After training, they were placed as Privates to the 55th Battalion at Goulburn Camp. Their unit left Sydney Harbour on the HMAT Ascanius on the 25th of October 1916. Arriving at Devonport in late December, Denis was hospitalised with influenza before going to France in April 1917. In France, he was marched out to the 19th Battalion, and was then transferred to the 18th Battalion. He fought during Second Bullecourt and in the Third Battle of Ypres, rushing the Germans at Menin Road and Poelcappelle.

While serving with the 18th Battalion on the 28th of April 1918, he was digging a trench in the reserve area near Warchy about 5kms from Amiens. While he was digging he was struck by a shell fragment, piercing in his back. He was rushed to the 20th Casualty Clearing Station, where he died from his wounds the following day. Denis was buried in Vignacourt Cemetery, Vignacourt in France.