Cyril Harry Collier was born on 18th October 1899 at 60 Mere Road, Leicester. His father was George Harry Collier who at that time was the Cashier at a Boot Manufacturers and his mother was Mary Jane Collier formally Wilkes.
60 Mere Road, LeicesterCyril Harry Collier’s Birth Certificate
He was baptised at St Peter’s Church, Belgrave, Leicestershire on 7th January 1900
St Peter’s Church, Belgrave, Leicestershire
This photograph was taken at a time when little boys wore dresses until they were deemed old enough to have their first trousers. He is holding what looks a very old fashioned tennis racket these days but it was a first sign of sporting interest which we will see grew later.
This photograph was taken in a photography studio in Liverpool when Cyril Collier visiting his Uncle Herbert Horrace Collier. Herbert Collier ran a haberdashery shop with his cousin Frank Collier in Wavertree, more about this including a photograph of Herbert Collier outside the shop & the shop today on a separate page.
On 29th October 1914 Cyril collier was awarded a school prize, a book, for his drawing 11 days after his 15th birthday
On the 10th June 1915 Cyril Collier was 15 years old and had a very impressive day at the Wygeston Grammar School sports day the 120 yard Handicap hurdles; 100 Yards (open); Quarter mile (open) and Long jump was second in the 120 yard handicap and third in the half mile handicap. He would have had trophies for these normally, but the First World War was happening so the certificates shown below were given instead. Apparently many of his records were still held by him when his sons both who attended the school left it. Click on the certificate images to see a larger copy in a new tab.
On 9th January 1918 Cyril Collier joined the Army at Duke’s Road, Camden, London he joined The Artists Rifles. He was promoted to acting Lance Corporal, seen below on the right.
During his time in the Army he visited home while on leave in the photograph below he is with his Mother, Father and younger sister Gwen (Gwendaline) who lived to the age of 104, I hope those genes were shared with the current Colliers!
Cyril Collier’s time in the Army was going well and he was soon an Officer Cadet as can be seen apparently there is at least one document in the National Archieve at Kew signed by Second Lieutenant Collier, the signature is apparently identical to that in his later life.
on 24 February 1919 Cyril Collier’s time in the Army ended when he was discharged due to a heart strain suffered while training. Click on the image of the form below to download a more detailed record in a pdf.
Cyril Collier was a Keen cricketer as can be seen in the photograph
Cyril Collier became a very talented and respected Shoe Designer and Director of shoe manufacturing companies.
Man of Talents
Synchronising almost with the re-election Of Mr. C. H. Collier as the chairman of the Lambs’ Club, was his appointment to the directorate of S.Rowsell & Co.Ltd., the Leicester shoe manufacturers. The Lambs Club is one that has not sought the limelight but its work is bound to have valuable results for the city shoe industry in the future. Its members are the younger men in the trade and the title in fact, was taken from the Leicester Boot Manufacturers’ Association. They are grappling with the industrial and economic problems of the day — lambs today, one might almost say, but merchant princes of the morrow. Mr Collier is well known throughout the industry, as a shoe designer, but he has frequently made use of attainments in other directions. There was a capital illustration when Councillor R. Hallam, as the Lord Mayor, was the chief guest at a dinner of the Leicester Boot Manufacturers Association. On that occasion, Mr Collier designed a floral shoe, which was presented to the Lady Mayoress a bouquet that was received with universal admiration.
