Caleb Collins (buried 1922)

Caleb was born in Stedham, Sussex, the son of Rev. Caleb Collins and his wife Isabella. He was baptised at Stedham on 28th May 1834. Caleb was sent to a private school in Titchfield. By 1861, he had joined the army, serving with the 51st Foot (later King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry). In 1866, Caleb was in South Africa, serving with the Cape Mounted Riflemen. He married Mary Jane Harvey at King William's Town in the Cape Colony on 13th February 1866. Caleb was promoted to Lieutenant in 1868. In 1869, the couple's first son George Shackleton Collins was born on 2nd June in South Africa. A daughter Blanche Isabel was born the following year. By 1873, the family had returned to England, living in Shalford in Surrey. A son, Sidney Shalford Collins was born here on 24th August 1873. The family were in India in 1875 where a second daughter Daisy Grace was born in Lahore on 13th December. Caleb was promoted to Captain in 1878. Another daughter Mary Poppie was born in Subathu on 5th September of that year. In 1880, a son Frank was born in Subathu on 20th June and tragically Mary Jane died in Seetabaldee, Bengal on 25th October aged 34. Caleb was promoted to Major in 1881. He was back in England by 1887, living at 3 Vale Place, Guildford. On 28th January 1890, Caleb married a widow Annie Emmeline Gould, at Stoke-next-Guildford. Having retired from the army, Caleb, Annie and three of his daughters settled in Guildford where a year after marriage to Annie, a son Raymond was born. Two more daughters followed and the family moved to Brighton. By 1920, the family were living at "Woodlyn" in Shakespeare Road, Worthing. Caleb died here on 24th May 1922. Probate was granted on 21st September to London and County, Westminster and Parr's Bank Ltd. Effects £10389 18s 3d.