September 10, 1893 (Danbury, CT) – November 13, 1961 (Norwalk, CT); 68 years old
Married Olivia Bliss on October 6, 1921, in Norwalk
One son, Herbert T. Collings Jr. who served in the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division and was killed in the Philippines during World War II.
Last local address: Rowayton Avenue (1910), 19 Hillside Street (1917), 28 Muriel Street (1961)
Entered the service on June 20, 1917
Serial number: none
Unit: 26th Infantry Division, 102nd Infantry Regiment, Company D
Worked as a Dental Mechanic for Dr. H.J. Cornell of South Norwalk prior to service. After the service, he owned a dental laboratory on North Main Street in Norwalk.
Taken prisoner by the Germans at Seicheprey in April 1918, and spent 11 months in prison camps.
From an unknown newspaper found in the Norwalk Library’s History, with the date December 23, 1918, written on it.
Word has been received from Private Herbert T. Collings, son of Albert Collings, of 16 Lowe Street, who was taken prisoner during the battle of Chateau Thierry, last April.
Private Collings wrote a postal card to his father, which was received here on Wednesday last, December 18, and which was written from Limburg, Germany, on November 21. At that time he said that he was leaving Germany in two weeks, and was either going to England or America, he didn’t know which.
Private Collings was a member of Company D, 102nd Regiment, having enlisted in that regiment together with twenty-one other boys from and around Norwalk during the spring of 1917.
When he was first captured he was placed in the German prison camp at Darmstadt, from which he was later removed to Limburg.
From an unknown newspaper found in the Norwalk Library’s History, with the date February 14, 1919, written on it
Word has been received from Private Herbert T. Collings, of Company D, 102nd Regiment, who has been stationed at Debarkation Hospital No. 3 (Greenhut building), New York City, to the effect that he has now been transferred to Base Hospital No. 10, in Boston, and is getting along nicely. Private Collings has had a great deal of trouble with his feet, caused by unfinished wooden shoes, which the Germans compelled him to wear when he was a prisoner in their hands in Darmstadt and Giessen. He was released and arrived in Metz on November 16, from whence he was sent to an English hospital. He arrived in this country on Friday, January 31, and was sent to Debarkation Hospital No. 3, and according to this later letter, to Base hospital No. 10, Boston. His feet have been gradually improving in condition and the latest reports are very encouraging.
From a newspaper clipping provided by the staff at Riverside Cemetery
Herbert T. Collings, 68, husband of Mrs. Olivia Bliss Collings of 20 Muriel Street, died at his home Monday morning.
Born in Danbury, he had been a resident of this city for more than 50 years. Mr. Collings was a veteran of WW I having served with the U.S. Army in France. He was a member of St. John’s Lodge, F&AM. As a dental technician, he had his own laboratory at 42 North Main Street for several years.
Besides his widow, he is survived by a brother, Walter R. Collings of this city; three sisters, Mrs. Carlton Reynolds of Danbury, Mrs. Robert Allison of Fort Pierce, Florida, and Mrs. Elsie Bennett of North Haven and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Thursday at 11 A.M. in the Raymond Funeral Home, 5 East Wall Street with Reverend Barton Bovee, pastor of the Norwalk Methodist Church officiating. The interment will be in Riverside Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M.
St. John’s Lodge, F&AM, will conduct services at the funeral home Wednesday evening at 8 o’clock.
Interred at Riverside Cemetery, 81 Riverside Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut; Section 20, Plot 239
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