Brian Leslie Collins (5 Apr 1934 - 14 Aug 2020)

In loving memory of Brian Leslie Collins who sadly passed away on 14th August 2020 Brian, was born on the 5th April 1934 in the west end of Derby. He grew up in a loving family with two siblings. At a young age he contracted polio. However due to his mother’s insistence he received early treatment and he was only affected by a squint which surgery corrected. By all accounts he was a tearaway not unlike Dennis the menace. However they were different times and he was never in serious trouble.
In 1952 he was called up for national service and served in Malaya as a medic. However that was to be a turning point as following several missions in the jungle he was fortunate to meet his lifelong friend Bernard.
Bernard as an excellent footballer had the life of Riley was the royal army medical corps star player. As such he spent his national service playing football. Bernard recommended to the powers that be that Brian was a decent footballer and Brian found himself in the team and out of the firing line. However this was also the time he developed his army nickname as the one pint wonder. Having tried his first alcohol. He was found swinging on the light fittings. He never drank alcohol again.
On his demob Bernard asked him to visit his girl Mary and give her a present. On arrival in Arnold he went to the house and met who would become his loving wife Jean, Mary’s younger sister. They were married Brian had tried several jobs from building to pop delivery and pretty soon a daughter, shortly after tragedy struck as his second daughter Sandra tragically died.
Two years later Tony was born and the family moved to the family home in Arnold.
Brian by this time had joined the ambulance service. First Nottingham City and then Nottinghamshire county ambulance. Typically he embraced this job and quickly developed an encyclopaedic knowledge of medicine and anatomy and physiology. Although he became more and more influential. Jean still said he was dragged up in the scrapings of Derby.
Brian was very popular and it is impossible to find anyone who knew him not to love him.
Like everything he attempted he succeeded in and following his retirement from football. He decided to take up a new hobby. He was a founder member of Nottingham karate club and achieved his black belt. His success in competition was immense and was the midlands champion and selected for the British team. He started teaching and trained the eventual world champion.
His progression in the ambulance service was continuing and his pastimes included reading medical textbooks. His knowledge was such he was the first point of call for all family members and was never wrong. Tony would visit the doctor and the first question was always “what does your dad say it is”. He continued to strive for more knowledge and qualifies as a physiotherapist and in addition as a chiropodist.
Brian was a unassuming man who never bragged about his achievements. Even whilst on holiday on the return flight home a passenger became ill and Brian performed life saving intervention and the passenger survived.
Having qualified as a paramedic Brian also began to teach his colleagues to qualify as paramedics.
He was promoted and as station officer at Arnold and Carlton he innumerable incidents saving lives was almost a daily occurrence.
Brian although teetotal was always the life and soul of the party never afraid to make a fool of himself.
He was known for his cheeky sense of humour and his popularity never diminished.
He became the ambulance expert on biomechanics and many of the innovations and changes to practices of the ambulance service are as a result of his advice.
On retirement he continued as a consultant to the service.

On the passing of his soul mate Jean. Brian decided to go back to work and such was the humility of him became a cleaner at Nottinghamshire police headquarters.
Initially at the occupational health department where it was common practice for officers if unsure of the condition they were suffering from to be advised to go and ask the cleaner.
He moved to the firearms department developing such respect that he was known as doctor Brian providing advice and solutions to long suffering officers.
As the oldest Nottinghamshire police employee he decided to retire at the age of 82.
Brian was a loving father and grandfather. Nothing was too much and he lived to help others. He could be annoying his constant use of medical terms when explains things was impossible to understand and he had to be constantly reminded to simplify it so we understood.
It was his helpful nature which saw him break his hip. Determined to help the engineer who was collecting his lawn mower for service he fell. He crawled into the house and called Tony. Not wanting to cause a fuss.
He was determined to get back on his feet. However delays to surgery we’re continuing. To add to the trauma he rang his precious daughter in law Gail and said “sorry to bother you but I think I’m having a heart attack. The ambulance was called and of course he was.
He was a proud and dignified man and although his care needs increased these were carried out by Tony, Gail, and his grandson Wesley,not forgetting wesley’s fiancé Meika who provided such support that he was so grateful, never slow to find humour in everything, including Christmas Day when Meika dropped the F bomb in front of him ribbing her mercilessly about how she had ruined the day. Playing a board game where humming was required. Tears of laughter rolling down the family’s faces as he attempted to hum. Which although he couldn’t hum he was known to be a fabulous singer even singing at his own wedding.
Brian was taken by a terrible disease and although he had self diagnosed he kept it from Tony so as not to upset him.
The diagnosis was made weeks before his passing and he fought till the end. He maintained his dignity and refused the carers intervention relying on Tony,Gail,Wes,and Meika who cared for him enthusiastically As he was a joy to be around. He maintained his sense of humour even when Told he was being grumpy grandad or grumpy mcgrumpface. He didn’t want to be a burden but couldn’t believe how much everyone wanted to be around him. The visits from his friends and nieces and nephews and their families and of course his best friend Bernard were a constant comfort to him.
Brian was not famous and fame was something he would not have wanted. However the world not just his friends and family but everyone who’s lives were saved enhanced or made better by knowing him will never forget a truly remarkable loving man. Who was known by his close friend HIlary as my lovely Brian.
There is a hole left by his passing and will be unbelievably missed as a Dad, father in law, grandad, honorary grandad, uncle, brother in law and friend. However the impact he had on all who met him and his legacy will live on in everyone’s hearts and minds.
Goodbye Brian.