John was educated at George Heriot’s School from 1885 to 1890, he then became a House Painter by trade. He is believed to have joined the R.A.M.C. in October 1915, and entered the war in France around March 1916. He was the son of the late John and Elizabeth Collins; and the husband of Margaret F McCormack Collins of 16 Spring Valley Gardens, Edinburgh [Will SC70/8/629/18]