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My grandfather was EDWARD THOMAS COLLINS (TED) who was born in either Ireland or England, or was of Irish descent. He was a Sgt Major in the Royal Engineers and served in the Anglo Boer War in South Africa. He sent for my grandmother, who was MATILDA GRACE MAYNARD born in Brighton in 1869, and who was a school mistress, and they married in Natal, South Africa in 1904. They lived in Pietermaritzburg and my mother, ELLEN HETTY COLLINS, was born in 1904. My grandad took his discharge from the Royal Engineers in South Africa but re-enlisted to partake in WW1 and was sent to France. My grandmother and mother were taken to England by ship courtesy of the British Government, to be re-united with him. This did not occur and they returned to South Africa by ship. He did not return to South Africa and I have been told that he met a French girl whilst in France and that twins were born of their relationship. My gran never heard from him again. His uncle was CAPT FRED COLLINS who owned the pleasure boat SKYLARK in Brighton. The only other information I have is that he had a sister called BRIDGET or BRIDIE. I'm desperate to find more information on his family and background and would so appreciate if anyone could help....PLEASE !!!