Albert James Collier, better known as Jim, was born 31 May 1936. He was educated in Aberdeen, Scotland. He attained secondary school certificate only awarded to the top 25% of children. He had 2 sisters and a younger brother "George Collier" who also served in The Parachute Regiment. Jim was also a reservist in the Gordon Highlanders prior to being Conscripted. Jim started his career as an electrical engineer apprentice with British rail in 1951. In 1957 Jim decided to join The Parachute Regiment. While serving National service both he and his best pal planned to go to Canada to become Mounties.

During his career in the Paras he was very competitive at several sports. He won medals in the Army championships for Squash and other racquet sports. He also took part in the Army Golf Championships winning medals and whilst serving in Northern Ireland almost became a scratch player.

With the rank of Private Albert J Collier successfully passed parachute jump instruction at RAF Abingdon on course number 454 in 1957.

1958-1959   CORPORAL: DEPOT PARA TRAINING STAFF ALDERSHOT

1959-1962   PLATOON SGT: 2 PARA KUWAIT BAHRAIN CYPRUS OMAN

1963-1965   PLATOON SGT : 2 PARA BAHRAIN MUSCAT OMAN   

1965-1967   RECRUIT TRAINING PLATOON SGT: DEPOT PARA ALDERSHOT   

1967-1970   WO2 / CSM : 2 PARA MALAYA SINGAPORE HONG KONG

1970-1972   RQMS: 3 PARA N.IRELAND CYPRUS

1972-1974   WO1 / RSM: 10 PARA UK

1974-1978   WO1/ RSM: 1 PARA BERLIN CYPRUS N.IRELAND

1978-1982   CAPT: 2 PARA N.IRELAND KENYA

1982-1985   CAPT: 1 PARA EDINBURGH N.IRELAND TURKEY NORWAY

1985-1987   MAJOR: JFHQ UK CYPRUS OMAN

1987-1990   MAJOR: HQ NORTHERN ARMY GROUP

1989-1991   MAJOR: JFHQ

He was married with 2 children. His hobbies included golf, skiing, gardening, squash, DIY, windsurfing and tennis. After 33 years service with The Army, rising from the rank of Private Soldier to Major, in 1991 Jim retired.

After his retirement from The Regiment he was asked to come back for several more years working as a RO at JFHQ Aldershot, which he did until he moved from Fleet in Hampshire back up to Aberdeen in 2005. Jim also enjoyed playing and taking part in Golf championships, winning several senior competitions. He also spent a lot of time looking after his grandson, Cameron, and taking pride in his home and garden

Jim sadly passed away in 2014 from cancer. His ashes were scattered ‘under canopy’ in Durham 7 June 2025.

He was awarded :

UN Medal, Cyprus, Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal and GSM(1962/74) with N. Ireland clasp

Information kindly supplied by Mark Robson, with additional material from Jim’s daughter Debbie Legget.