Cecil Thomas Collins – grave tales

Cecil Thomas Collins was born in York WA on 17th November 1900 and died on the 6th October 1968 aged 64yrs and is buried in the Methodist section of the Kalgoorlie Cemetery in Grave 13637.

Headstone of Cecil Thomas Collins – Photo Danelle Warnock

Cecil was the third son of William Thomas James Collins and Elda Ellen nee Reynolds of York WA. He married Eileen Henrietta Edwards in York WA in 1925 when he was 22yrs old and Eileen was 21yrs old. Their first child was born the following year, William ‘Bill’ George Collins in 1926 also in York. he was folllwed by Doreen born 1927, Neville born 1930 and Kevin ‘Bunny’born 1933.

Collins Family 1917 – Seated: William & Elda (holding Ronia Ethel Doris Enda died age 2yrs) Back: David William, Reuben Henry born 1898, Murray Charles born 1901, Cecil,  Front: Cedric Mark born 1909 (died age 10yrs and is buried in York with sister Ronia), Stanley George born 1914 & Raymond John born 1911  – Photo Ancestry.com

Grave of Cecil Collins – Kalgoorlie Cemetery – Photo Danelle Warnock

Cecils wife Eileen never remarried and lived in Kalgoorlie where she died in 1994 at age 90yrs. She is however not buried with Cecil. She is in the Roman Catholic section. Both of them are the only ones buried in their graves. It’s off that on Cecil’s headstone the open book memorial usually means that the wife’s name will be added to the other side in due course but this didn’t happen. Perhaps due to a difference in religion. Both Eileen and Cecils families seemed to stay in the York area.

Eileen remained at their family home at 139 Cheetham Street, Kalgoorlie till her death. Cecil was described in the Electoral Rolls as being a Railway Employee, so this may have been the reason he came to Kalgoorlie.

You will note that his son Neville is marked as deceased on the headstone inscription, he die the year after his father so perhaps the headstone and ledger were not placed on Cecil’s grave till after Neville died. It is nice to see the ceramic cross on the grave is still intact.

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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