A Mayor in Chains
Councillor Bernard Arthur Collins MBE JP Mayor & Sheriff of Canterbury & Gunner Royal Atillery
The Man Bernard Arthur Collins was born on 10th September 1918 in Essex to a family rooted in Spitalfields. His father died when he was 18 months old and he was bought up by relatives; moving to Ramsgate, Herne Bay, Swalecliffe and then aged 12 back to Herne Bay. In his youth Bernard worked for a painter and decorator and later took a job as a meter reader with the Herne Bay Electricity Company. Bernard, a Methodist, enlisted into the Royal Artillery in July 1939 aged 20 with service number 1504893, as a Gunner and later promoted to Lance Bombardier. Following the outbreak of World War II he went as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France in September the same year, deployed along the Belgian – French border. Following the German invasion of France in May 1940 the BEF were driven back through Belgium and France resulting in the Dunkirk evacuation and Bernard was wounded and captured, becoming a Prisoner of War. He was sent to Stalag VIII-A at Gorlitz, Lower Silesia in Saxony near the River Neisse, now Zgorzelec in Poland, with POW Number 10848. He spent the remainder of the War as a POW, much of it in confinement due to his repeated attempts to escape. During the early part of 1945 Bernard did eventually manage to ‘get away’ during the melee in Europe, spending three months on the run until reaching the American lines and narrowly escaping death in the process. Following the end of the War he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and entitled to the Dunkirk Veterans’ Medal. Once repatriated Bernard vowed the rest of his life was borrowed time. He settled back in Herne Bay and joined the local Toc H, helping form a second branch in Strode Park. During the third quarter of 1945 he married Kathleen E Johnson in the district of Bridge, Kent and re-joined his old company which later became the South Eastern Electricity Board (Seeboard) rising to the position of Chief Draughtsman and electrical engineer.
In 1965 aged 47 he was elected to the Herne Bay Urban District Council as a Ratepayers’ Councillor and becoming Chairman in 1972-73. He was appointed a Magistrate in 1968 and following local Government re-organisation in 1974 the HBUDC was absorbed into the Canterbury City Council. Bernard was re-elected, but defected to the Conservatives in 1976 representing Reculver Ward for the rest of his political career. In 1975 he helped found the town twinning between Herne Bay and Waltrop in Germany and was elected to the committee of the Kent Association of Twining Associations. He was also appointed as Chairman of the Council’s Planning Committee from 1978-82. Bernard was made redundant from Seeboard in 1981 aged 63, and this enabled him to devote more time to the council and voluntary work. He was responsible for successfully steering through many important and often controversial local schemes such as the pedestrianisation of Herne Bay Town Centre and the development of sites of historic interest in Canterbury. In March 1982 Bernard married his second wife, Margaret Walkinshaw at a ceremony presided over by Canon Alan Dawkins, Vicar of Herne Bay, Margaret also worked at Seeboard St Peter’s Depot as a Draughtswoman. In May 1982 he was elected as Deputy Mayor of Canterbury and in March 1983 received the nomination for Mayor for the Municipal Year 1983-84 at a meeting at the Guildhall and supported by the majority Conservative Group.
Having retained his seat at the local elections on 5th May Bernard was installed as Mayor of Canterbury, the fourth from Herne Bay since 1974, on Wednesday 18th May 1983. He was proposed by Cllr Dick Peard, who described him as “A resolute man and a firm decision maker” and seconded by Cllr Mrs Gwen Fortune. In response Bernard said “I am looking to a full year ahead of me, being Deputy Mayor paved the way. It was a sort of apprenticeship if you like. I like ordinary people and enjoy meeting them. I like unsung people who work hard in almost total anonymity”. He appointed Canon Dawkins as his Chaplain. The Mayoress chose The Samaritans as her charity as “They are unhonoured and unsung and deserve our strong support”. As Mayor Bernard was described as having bought City, Cathedral and University closer together and later made vice-president of the Friends of Canterbury Archaeological Trust for his efforts. Bernard and Margaret lived at 16 Landon Road, Herne Bay, and in addition to being Mayor he was a member of the Herne Bay Allotments and Gardens Association, Chairman of the Canterbury & District branch Dunkirk Veterans Association and East Kent’s representative on the national executive, President of Herne Bay Squadron Air Training Corps and Girls Venture Corps. He was also a keen educationalist and Chairman of the governors of Hampton Primary School and a governor of Herne Bay Secondary School. Bernard Was made Sheriff of Canterbury in 1991-92 and in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List of 12th June 1993 appointed as an Ordinary Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to the community in Kent. In later life Bernard and Margaret lived at 82 Landon Road and he died in the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate on Friday 20th July 2001 aged 82 following a long illness related to heart problems. There was a funeral service held at Christ Church, William Street, Herne Bay at 1130h on Thursday 2nd August 2001, followed by his cremation at Barham. Flowers and donations were sent to the British Heart Foundation.
Having retained his seat at the local elections on 5th May Bernard was installed as Mayor of Canterbury, the fourth from Herne Bay since 1974, on Wednesday 18th May 1983. He was proposed by Cllr Dick Peard, who described him as “A resolute man and a firm decision maker” and seconded by Cllr Mrs Gwen Fortune. In response Bernard said “I am looking to a full year ahead of me, being Deputy Mayor paved the way. It was a sort of apprenticeship if you like. I like ordinary people and enjoy meeting them. I like unsung people who work hard in almost total anonymity”. He appointed Canon Dawkins as his Chaplain. The Mayoress chose The Samaritans as her charity as “They are unhonoured and unsung and deserve our strong support”. As Mayor Bernard was described as having bought City, Cathedral and University closer together and later made vice-president of the Friends of Canterbury Archaeological Trust for his efforts. Bernard and Margaret lived at 16 Landon Road, Herne Bay, and in addition to being Mayor he was a member of the Herne Bay Allotments and Gardens Association, Chairman of the Canterbury & District branch Dunkirk Veterans Association and East Kent’s representative on the national executive, President of Herne Bay Squadron Air Training Corps and Girls Venture Corps. He was also a keen educationalist and Chairman of the governors of Hampton Primary School and a governor of Herne Bay Secondary School. Bernard Was made Sheriff of Canterbury in 1991-92 and in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List of 12th June 1993 appointed as an Ordinary Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to the community in Kent. In later life Bernard and Margaret lived at 82 Landon Road and he died in the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate on Friday 20th July 2001 aged 82 following a long illness related to heart problems. There was a funeral service held at Christ Church, William Street, Herne Bay at 1130h on Thursday 2nd August 2001, followed by his cremation at Barham. Flowers and donations were sent to the British Heart Foundation.
The Story The sets of medals awarded to Bernard Arthur Collins were acquired from E-Bay on 3rd December 2014, and of interest as he was a former Mayor & Sheriff of Canterbury, thus fitting into the general collecting theme of Past Mayors and linking directly to one of his predecessors, Alfred Baynton. Some information was available from Ancestry.UK, but following contact with Canterbury Heritage Museum and the Beaney Art Museum & Library, they were most helpful in providing a much sought after portrait of Bernard and newspaper cuttings giving very detailed information, allowing his biography to be pieced together. Interestingly, and as is often the case, the only item contained within Bernard’s medals that was named, thus confirming their provenance, was his privately purchased General Service Cross engraved with his service number, name and Regiment. Sadly, Bernard’s MBE cufflinks were sold separately, and contact made with the successful bidder who was reluctant to release them. However, an interesting story of one who has served his country and community for many years and now preserved for posterity.
Bernard Arthur Collins in circa 1983 & 2000
Herne Bay
Official blazon Arms : Barry wavy of six Argent and Azure, on a Chief of the last a Heron Or between two Crosses formee fitchee of the first. Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours a Lymphad Gules with Pennant per fess Argent and Azure and the sail also Argent charged with a Bull statant Sable armed and unguled also Gules. Motto : 'NE CEDE MALIS' - Yeild not to adversity. Origin/meaning The arms were officially granted on June 8, 1948. The blue and white waves are an obvious reference to the sea. The heron is allusive to the name, and was the device of the Council before the arms were obtained (see image below). The crosses, ecclesiastical emblems of Christ Church, denote the cathedral church of the Diocese and the parish church of Herne Bay. The lymphad recalls the Roman occupation of the fort of Regulbium, now Reculver, and the ox is from the arms of Sir Henry Oxenden, one of the chief landowners in the district when Herne Bay was developed in the eighteen-thirties. Herne Bay, along with Whitstable and Canterbury, is in the City of Canterbury local government district. The town contains the five electoral wards of Heron, Herne and Broomfield, Greenhill and Eddington, West Bay and Reculver. These wards have thirteen of the fifty seats on the Canterbury City Council. Herne Bay ceased to be an Urban District Council upon local government re-organisation in 1974. |
Canterbury Although first registered at the College of Heralds in 1619, Canterbury's coat of arms is medieval in origin and appeared on official documents as long ago as 1380. Canterbury's links with Royalty - it has been a Royal city since at least the 6th century - are denoted by the heraldic leopard, whilst the three black choughs are taken from the arms ascribed to Thomas Becket. Canterbury, along with Whitstable and Herne Bay, is in the City of Canterbury local government district. The city's urban area consists of the six electoral wards of Barton, Harbledown, Northgate, St Stephens, Westgate, and Wincheap. These wards have fifteen of the fifty seats on the Canterbury City Council. The city became a county corporate in 1461, and later a county borough under the Local Government Act 1888. In 1974 it lost its status as the smallest county borough in England, after the Local Government Act 1972, and came under the control of Kent County Council.
Motto: Ave Mater Anglia - For Mother England
Motto: Ave Mater Anglia - For Mother England
Mayor of Canterbury Canterbury was granted a City Charter in 1448 which gave it the right to have a mayor and a sheriff. King Henry VI decreed that the City should be "of one Mayor and one commonalty, wholly corporate for ever". The first Mayor elected under Royal Charter was John Lynde. The responsibilities of Mayors have diminished over the years. They were once in charge of keeping the peace, serving as Chief Magistrate and presiding over the local lawcourt. This caused problems as the Mayor could be asked to chair sessions without experience or knowledge of law. The Justices of the Peace Act of 1968 decreed that Mayors were no longer entitled to sit as magistrates by virtue of their office alone. The dignity and title of Lord Mayor was granted on 13 July 1988 whilst the 12th Lambeth Conference of the Anglican Church was being held in the city.
Click here to view the Past Mayors of Canterbury
Click here to view the Past Mayors of Canterbury
The Sheriff of Canterbury is a shrievalty in the city of Canterbury, England. The office was first held in 1461 by Richard Carpenter, when a charter of king Edward IV granted the city the perpetual status of a county independent of Kent itself. The role was at that time involved in police and legal functions (overseeing public executions, collecting taxes and having powers of arrest), but is now honorific. The role survived the local government reorganisation of 1974, when a large number of other areas lost County Borough status and thus had their Sheriffs' posts abolished, and the Sheriff is still elected at the Annual Council Meeting in May. Canterbury City Council in 2002 merged the role of deputy Chairman of the Council into that of Sheriff, to create a Civic Team of only the Sheriff and the Lord Mayor.
Click here to view the Past Sheriffs of Canterbury
Click here to view the Past Sheriffs of Canterbury
Click here to see another Mayor of Canterbury Alfred Baynton OBE
With thanks to Canterbury Heritage Museum for their assistance in piecing together this biography and providing the portrait of Bernard Collins
With thanks to the Beaney Art Museum & Library, Canterbury for their assistance in piecing together this biography and providing newspaper articles.
Medal Details:
- Member of the Excellent Order of British Empire: Unnamed as issued.
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as issued.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as issued.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as issued.
- Dunkirk Medal: Unnamed as issued
- International Prisoners of War Medal: Unnamed as bought.
- General Service Cross: 1504893 GNR B.A.COLLINS. RA.
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This page last updated 16 Jun 15