Richard was one of five sons of Samuel and Sarah Brightman of Great Bramingham who served on the Western Front. Tragically four of the five brothers were killed. Richard died of wounds on 10th November 1917 in France, aged 24. He was the fourth son to be lost.

Richard died in a Canadian hospital at Etaples, having had both feet amputated one week earlier. His parents received the letter informing them of his wounds on the same day as they received a telegram informing them of his brother Herbert's death.

Second Lieutenant Collings-Wells was commissioned into the Bedfordshire Regiment on 14th March 1904 having previously served with the Hertfordshire Militia. He became a Lieutenant in September 1904 and Captain in January 1907. On the outbreak of war he was recalled to the colours and arrived in France with the Bedfordshire Regiment on the 22nd August 1914, where he served in the 2nd Battalion once they had arrived from South Africa. By October 1916 he was promoted to acting Lieutenant-Colonel in command of the 4th Battalion and remained at that post until his death.