Lance Corporal Francis Collins was the son of John and Mary Collins, of Glasnevin, in the Irish Republic.He enlisted into The Royal Ulster Rifles and later volunteered for airborne forces, qualifying as a military parachutist on course 56 which ran at RAF Ringway from 17 March to 1 April 1943.

He  went on to serve with the 2nd Para Brigade Headquarters during the Italy campaign.

L/Cpl Collins died on 20 January 1944, aged 22 years, and is now buried at the Sangro River War Cemetery, Italy.

Cemetery photograph courtesy of CWGC.