Andrew Colvin was born 5th February 1888 and was the son of Elizabeth Colvin, Ballynenagh, Moneymore, County Londonderry. Andrew emigrated to Canada. He enlisted with the Canadian Infantry on 10th November 1915 and his attestation papers say that he was unmarried. He was 5 feet 4 inches tall, grey eyes, black hair and a dark complexion. He had a half inch scar on his upper lip and a scar on the first finger of his left hand. He served as a dispatch rider with his battalion in France, carrying messages to and from the front lines. During one of his missions he came under attack from the enemy positions and was seriously wounded but managed to stay conscious until he got the message through to his destination. For the action, Andrew was awarded the Military Medal. He was also the recipient of the Belgium ‘Croix de Guerre’.
Bruay is a large village in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, 6 kilometres south-west of Bethune and 26 kilometres north-west of Arras. Leave Bruay on the N.41 (Bethune/St Pol road). Turn right where signposts indicate Lens/Calonne-Riquart. After 400 metres turn right again, sign Cimetiere Ouest. Continue up the hill past the minor memorial. The cemetery is found after one kilometre on the right hand side. The Commonwealth plot is in the far right hand corner.
