Kate Collins c1905 with her first son Leslie c1910 and in 1920

On the 27th August 1902, Fred married Kate Bailey, daughter of Joseph and Evangeline Bailey (nee Warren) of 102 Harborough-road, at Park-road Baptist Church. In 1903 he was a dairyman at 182 Wellingborough-road and was still there in 1920 and then he was also a grocer at 196 Wellingborough-road. In 1931 he was the tenant of “more than 150 acres” at Rectory Farm in Newton-road. Fred's son Leslie and his family lived in Rectory Farm. He had previously (1910) rented a field below Rectory Farm, which is now Knights Farm, to keep his cows. The original building is still in this field and is now surrounded by Knights Farm.

By 1940 Fred is listed as being a grocer at 196 Wellingborough-road, and we think his two sons, Les and Eric did the milk round. During the War Les Collins did the milk round and Eric went on to War work. When Les and his family left Rectory Farm, about 1942, the milk was still kept at Wellingborough-road but delivered by handcart and car. The bulk milk was delivered in churns from Ware in Hertfordshire by Allen and Hanburys Ltd and bottled by hand in Wellingborough-road. Later, Leslie Collins worked as a taxi driver, and then as a van driver for Townsend's Garage.

The only picture we have of Fred Collins’ Ford model A van is a poor copy of a photograph taken in Pemberton-street, sometime before the War. We are still looking for a “Fred Collins” printed milk bottle!

click here to see his grandson's shop in 1966