Sergeant Andrew Laurance Colhoun
Andrew Laurance Colhoun (or Colquhoun) was born on 20 October 1883 at Rossbracken, Manorcunningham, County Donegal, the eldest of seven children of farmer Francis James Colhoun and Frances (Fanny) Margretta Colhoun (nee Ewing).
On 15 February 1906 he joined the Royal Irish Constabulary (No.61689), initially serving at Carlow, then from 1907 at Belfast. When the war began he was at Belfast's Musgrave Street Barracks, and reported to be "a well-known athlete".
Colhoun enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 5 February 1916 (regimental number between 2099, 2101 or 2102; later Corps of Hussars No.71695). He embarked for France between 1916 and 1918, where he was posted to one of the squadrons of the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment.
On 28 November 1917 he married Emily Deakin at Sinclair Seamen's Presbyterian Church, Shankill, Belfast.
On 12 November 1919 Colhoun was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve. The following day he was reappointed to the Royal Irish Constabulary and posted to Belfast. He was promoted to sergeant on 1 November 1920. He remained with the RIC until the force was disbanded in 1922. He then joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary, serving until his retirement in 1944.
Colhoun and his wife Emily, taken in the Abernethy studios in Belfast.
Northern Whig, 30 November 1944
Sergeant Colhoun's younger brother Francis James Colhoun also served in the North Irish Horse.
His son, Flying Officer William Andrew Lawrence Colhoun was killed in a raid over Nuremberg, Germany, on 31 March 1944 when his Lancaster Bomber was shot down by a night fighter.
Belfast Telegraph, 5 June 1944
First image kindly provided by Ian McConaghy.