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Anthony Roland Collins was born on 22nd June 1908 and entered the RAF in late June 1930 on a short service commission. He did his flying training at 2 FTS Digby and then joined 3 Squadron at Upavon on 23rd June 1931. He was posted to 30 Squadron at Mosul, Iraq on 28th February 1933.
Back in the UK, Collins went to No. 1 Armament Training Camp at Catfoss on 28th February 1935 and on 10th August 1936 he was appointed PA to the AOC 25 (Armament) Group at Eastchurch.
On 2nd January 1938 Collins was sent to the School of Photography, Farnborough, under instruction.
On 28th October he was appointed Officer i/c Photography at Coastal Command, Lee-on-Solent. On 18th June 1940 Collins went to 6 OTU for a refresher course.
He took command of 72 Squadron at Acklington on 18th July.
On 2nd September 1940 he was slightly wounded and his aircraft Spitfire R6806 damaged in combat with Me110's over Herne Bay. Posted away from 72 on 5th October, Collins took command of 46 Squadron at Stapleford Tawney the following day but only held the appointment for a very brief period.
Collins retired from the RAF on 22nd June 1955 as a Wing Commander.
He died on 21st February 1976.
Ref
Battle of Britain Monument London
Royal Air Force Fighter Command Losses of the Second World War Volume 1 - Norman L R Franks
