43 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca COLVIN, Alexander “Alex” WWII Alexander Colvin, son of Andrew and Catherine Colvin, was born on October 17, 1910, in Carman, Manitoba. Alex attended school in Graysville and Carman. After completing his education, Alex worked on the farm in Graysville with his brothers, Bill and Jim. Alex enlisted with theWinnipeg Grenadiers in April 1940 duringWorldWar II. His basic training took place in Winnipeg. Alex married Jean Armstrong in May 1940. Ten days after their wedding Alex was sent to Jamaica.While serving there, he guarded the German prisoners from the Admiral Graph Spee Warship. He spent one and a half years in Jamaica. In the fall of 1941, Alex returned toWinnipeg for one month. After then he left for Hong Kong arriving on November 16, 1941. Soon after arrival in Hong Kong it was taken over by the Japanese and the Canadians were taken prisoners. Alex remained a prisoner of the Japanese until August 1945. Alex returned home to Carman in September 1945. In 1946, he relocated to Morden, Manitoba. Here he established a jewellery business which was called “Colvins’ Jewellery Store”. Jean worked with him and together were in business for 25 years. Alex and Jean retired to Victoria, British Columbia in September 1971. In retirement they enjoyed golfing, bowling, walking and travelling. Alex passed away on September 14, 1997, at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC. COLVIN, Allan WWI Allan Colvin, son of Andrew and Catherine Colvin, was born in Manitoba on April 3, 1894. He attended Albert and Carman schools. Allan and his brother George farmed together near Graysville, MB. Allan enlisted with the 222nd Battalion of the army on January 27, 1916 in Carman, MB to serve during World War I. He took his basic training at Shilo, MB. Allan left from Halifax on the SS Olympic on November 13, 1916 arriving in England on December 20. Eight days later he was drafted to the 44th Battalion in Shoreham and then to France on December 29. On June 9, 1917, Allan was wounded but remained on duty. On August 21, he was transferred to Troop 16 of the Canadian Machine Gun Corp. After suffering from a wound to his right calf on October 30 he was hospitalized in Rouen, France. He had surgery on November 7 in Bath, England. After his surgery Allan was posted to the Machine Gun Corps Depot in Seaford, England. On October 10, 1918, he was transferred back to fight in France until March 1919. On March 3, 1919, Allan was posted to the Canadian Machine Corps Regiment Depot in Seaford, England for a month. Allan left for home from Liverpool on April 16 on the SS Belgic ship arriving in Halifax on April 23. His official discharge was on April 27, 1919. Allan was awarded a Good Conduct Badge with inscription “For service at the front”. Upon returning home, Allan and George farmed together until 1923. Allan farmed in the St. Daniel district until 1926 and then farmed one mile north of Carman. Allan and Myrtle Huston were married on June 30, 1930. When Allan moved to the Roseisle area in 1934 he farmed at three separate farm sites. He retired to Roseisle in 1951 and served as the postmaster from 1953 to 1960. Allan and Myrtle had six children, Idris, Jean, Catherine, Margaret, Jim and Bill. Allan passed away on August 30, 1975 and is buried in Carman Greenwood Cemetery.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==