Young man in WW I commemoration video gets surprise from archives

The Rooms' new video released as part of its newly launched Remember Them campaign features a young man with connections to the First World War.

CBC News · Posted: Nov 07, 2015 4:30 AM EST | Last Updated: November 7, 2015

Young man with WW I connection plays part in The Rooms commemoration video

9 years ago

5:10

The Rooms new video released as part of their newly launched Remember Them campaign features a a young man with WWI connections.

The Rooms' Remember Them campaign video for the Ennis Sisters' song I Will Sing You Home features an emotional scene of a mother finding out her son has been killed in action during The Great War.

At the centre of the re-enactment is Nigel Collins, 18, a St. John's man who plays the young soldier.

He not only has a family connection to the war but is also a reservist with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

I said, 'What have I got to lose,' so I went for it and did the audition.- Nigel Collins

"I'm in the reserves myself, my great-grandfather served in the First World War so [I thought] I should go for it," said Collins, describing how his mother thought the casting call would be a perfect fit for him.

"I said, 'What have I got to lose', so I went for it and did the audition," Collins told CBC's St. John's Morning Show.

Many of the recruits who went to fight almost 100 years ago were around the same age as Collins. Recollecting his great-grandfather's wartime service came with mixed emotions, he said.

"It's crazy to think that [and] at the same time it's kind of exciting," said Collins.

"I guess to be at this age where a lot of them were going over, especially my great-grandfather."

Getting into character

Collins' great-grandfather, Stanley Gillam, enlisted in May 1917 and went to England shortly after but didn't see battle until June 1918.

Gillam fought at Passchendaele and was shot in September 1918.

Collins said he drew on his great-grandfather's history for inspiration. He thought about the struggles they must have faced wanting to fight for their country but knowing they could lose their life in battle.

"I was just trying to get myself in the right mind set, of what some of these young men were thinking at the time going over to England and fighting for their country," said Collins.

"Trying to get myself into the right character it was kind of hard to think of it as well, because they seemed to be excited at first and then when they got over there it was not what they were thinking."

Nigel Collins receives printed copy of his great-grandfather's service file from The Rooms archivist Greg Walsh. (CBC)

Surprise gift

Greg Walsh, the provincial archivist at The Rooms, surprised Collins with a copy of his great-grandfather's service file and a picture of his platoon during a recent St. John's Morning Show remote broadcast from The Rooms.

"I'm speechless here. Tis is amazing," said Collins. "I'm really honoured."