William James Collins was born in 1912 to Walter and May Collins (nee Rowe) he was one of nine children. The family lived in Gas Street and Watson Road, Alum Rock.

 

William was a Chauffer for a film company, a driver for Slumberland and Averill’s Transport before setting up his own transport business. In the 1960’s he was contracting for Fisher & Ludlow. 

 

 William met his bride to be around 1931; her name was Lily Robinson from Sutherland Street in Aston. Lily worked at Dunlops,



  

William and Lily had 4 children, two boys, William jnr and Brian and two girls, Jean and Elaine.

 

When War broke out William could not join up so he did War-work and at one time was transporting Prisoners of War from the Lickey Hills and Malvern to build Prefabs at Bell lane, the Maypole and other places in Birmingham.

 

William died in 1976 at the age of 64 in Solihull; he is buried at Robin Hood.