A FIRST World War hero, who survived the Somme and was decorated last year with France's highest military honour, has died at the age of 104.
Edward Collins, who lived at Padgate House Retirement Home and was very popular with all who knew him, died on Sunday.
He was born in Stanley Street and was the youngest of four brothers, all of whom fought in the infamous First World War battle at the Somme and survived.
Last year, Mr Collins was decorated with the Legion D'Honneur by the Honourable Consul of France, Yvan Bernard, at the Town Hall.
Mr Collins lied about his age to join the Army in 1914 at the age of 17.
He went on to work at Lever Brothers for 41 years and married Edith, who died in 1984.
He has two daughters, Joan and Ivy, both of whom live in the USA.
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