Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Fred Collier a general labourer, born 1863 in Finedon, Northants., and his wife Annie Eliza, born 1862 in Potterspury, Northants. Fred was born in 1889 in Draughton, Northants., in April 1891 the family home was at Village Street, Draughton, Northants. In March 1901 Fred was residing in the family home at 4, Cross Street, Little Bowden, Northants., together with his father, now a carrier and carter, his mother and siblings, Thomas, born 1892 in Maidwell, Northants., Bertha, born 1895 and Septimus, born 1898, the latter two siblings were both born in Great Oxendon, Northants. In April 1911 Fred was employed in corset manufacture and was residing in the family home at 3, Springfield Street, Little Bowden, Northants., together with his widowed mother and siblings, Thomas, Bertha, Septimus and Arthur, born 1902 in Little Bowden, Northants. Fred was recorded officially at birth with the Christian name Fred, however reference is made to a second Christian name of Voss that appears in an early reference to him in the 1891 census, however later census records no longer show this second Christian name. The War Diary for today records. TRENCHES opposite GOMMECOURT. Just after midnight got a message from Brigade to send out strong patrol to see whether Hun line was still occupied. Major GRIFFITHS went at 2.30am to the GOMMECOURT ROAD where it crosses our trench, taking 2nd Lt’s BEARDMORE and MACBETH with their platoons. Former cut much wire but found trenches fully occupied. All back at 6.00am. The Hun was shouting across at 6.50am what sounded like “BON SOIR” very foggy then. From7.10 to 10.50am the Hun let loose on us all his spare ammunition from guns of all classes. He barraged and he concentrated. We had one man killed from direct hit on dug out. Trenches were hit in 3 or 4 places. At 10.50am our counter short and sharp, opened. The Hun stopped immediately. We are temporarily made the 58th Division. General FANSHAWE called at HQ’s at 11.30am. At 5.30pm Coy Commanders conference. At 7.00pm Staff Captain GRINLING came with orders. We wrote orders for strong reconnaissance as last night. Major GRIFFITHS, Captain MOORE M.C. with C Coy started about 11.00pm. 2nd Lt’s BEARDMORE and BANWELL took their platoons out, other two remained standing to. Wire was cut again but the Hun was found in the trenches by GOMMECOURT VILLAGE. It was certain that he had left the PARK. All in again some after 3.15am.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Husband of Mrs. F. Collier, of 12, Cross St., Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Born Market Harborough.

On 27 February 1946 the following in memoriam announcement appeared in the Market Harborough Advertiser:

In Memoriam
Collier- In loving memory of Fred Voss Collier, killed in action Feb 25th 1917.
Until the dawn breaks.
Parted, yet in spirit meeting.
Every hour of every day.

From his wife, Flo, London, SW1.
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Submitted by B. Hakewill, 2018