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James Morris Colquhoun Colvin
Colonel James Morris Colquhoun Colvin VC (26 August 1870 – 7 December 1945) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to a member of a British or Commonwealth force. Early lifeColvin was born in Bijnor, United Provinces, British India to James Colquhoun Colvin of the Manor House, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, and Camilla Fanny Marie Morris, who was the eldest daughter of the Rev. Edward Morris. Colvin's father serviced with the Bengal Civil Service. He was awarded the India Mutiny medal for defending the House of Arrah. The Colvin family had been involved for a long time in various capacities in the British East Indies, serving as soldiers and administrators. Colvin's extended family members included Sir John Russell Colvin, Lieutenant-Governor of the North-West Provinces during the Indian Mutiny, and his sons Sir Auckland, K.C.S.I. and Sir Elliot Graham, K.C.S.I.[1] Their most notable cousin was the English writer and curator Sir Sidney Colvin,[2] known for his friendship with the young Robert Louis Stevenson. Military serviceHe was educated at Charterhouse and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. There, for distinguished proficiency, he was awarded the Pollock Gold Medal and Memoir as a Cadet Senior Under Officer. He was also awarded the Regulation Sword for exemplary conduct. A travelling clock, aneroid barometer, thermometer and compass were awarded to him for maths and mechanics. H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge presented the awards after inspecting cadets at RMA Woolwich, on 26 July 1889.[1] On 27 July 1889, Colvin joined the Royal Engineers as a second lieutenant. Three years later, he was promoted to lieutenant on 27 July 1892. He served in the Chitral Relief Force in 1895 with the 4th Company, Bengal Sappers and Miners.[1][3] He served on the North West Frontier of India with the Malakand Field Force in 1897–1898, and took part in operations in Bajaur, and in the Mohmand country and in Buner. He was mentioned in dispatches.[1] Mohmand CampaignColvin was 27 years old, and a lieutenant in the British Army Corps of Royal Engineers during the Mohmand campaign of 1897–98 in India when his actions resulted in him subsequently being awarded the Victoria Cross. The award of the Victoria Cross was published in the London Gazette on 20 May 1898. The citation read;
Queen Victoria invested Colvin with the Victoria Cross on 19th July 1898 at Windsor Castle.[1] Two others who served with Colvin were also awarded a Victoria Cross—Lieutenant Thomas Colclough Watson and Corporal James Smith, The Buffs ( East Kent Regiment ).[a] Colvin served with the Malakand Field Force, 1897–98, where he took part in operations in Bajaur, the Mohmand Country and in Bruner (mentioned-in-Despatches L.G. 11 January 1898). Second Boer WarColvin was promoted to captain on 1 April 1900, and served in South Africa in 1901–02 during the Second Boer War as Special Service Officer. In May 1901 he was appointed an Aide-de-camp to Lieutenant-General Sir Bindon Blood,[6] who was stationed in eastern Transvaal. He remained in South Africa until the war ended in May 1902, and left for Calcutta on the SS Umlazi two months later.[7] For his service in the war, he was again mentioned in despatches (L.G. 22 August 1902), received the brevet promotion to major and awarded the Queen's Medal with three clasps[1] on 22 August 1902,[8] and his name was noted as qualified for Staff employment.[9] Later service
Orders and medals
FamilyColvin married Katharine Way, youngest daughter of Colonel George Augustus Way, CB on 23 January 1904 in Simla India.[1] They had three children:[10]
Death detailsJames Colvin died at Stanway, near Colchester on 7 December 1945, aged 75. He was cremated at Ipswich Crematorium on 11 December, and his ashes scattered in the Old Garden of Rest.[1] See also
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