Private Francis James Colquhoun
Private Francis J. Colquhoun (Service No.590), enlisted with the North Irish Horse on 24 February 1911. He stated at the time that he was 18 years of age. However as the press clipping below suggests, he may have overstated his age by as much as three years. Colquhoun was from Rasbracken, Manorcunningham, County Donegal, the son of Francis James and Fanny Colquhoun. He embarked for France on 17 August 1914 with A Squadron and was awarded the Medaille Militaire on 11 October 1914. On 12 March 1915 he returned home, suffering from bronchitis. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 21 October 1915. Colquhoun's time expired on 23 February 1916.
In September 1914 Colquhoun's mother wrote to the military authorities asking for news about him:
Would you kindly give me information as to Frank Colquhoun's whereabouts. I think his number is 590. I have had no word from him since he landed in France & I am most anxious about him, being his mother. Would you kindly give me all possible information at once & oblige
F.M. Colquhoun.
The text accompanying the above image in the Belfast Evening Telegraph reads:
PRIVATE FRANCIS COLQUHOUN, North Irish Horse, a native of Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal, who has been awarded the Medalle Militaire granted for valuable service in scouting, and presented personally by General French. Private Colquhoun, who is eighteen years of age, left for the front with the First Division under Lord Cole. He is a brother of Constable Andrew Colquhoun, of Musgrave Street Barracks, Belfast, a well-known athlete.
Image, from Belfast Evening Telegraph, kindly provided by Nigel Henderson (see Fitzroy Presbyterian Church: Wartime Service and Sacrifice).