Soldier Record

Colvin was born at Burnley, Lancashire on the 1 February 1887. He died on the 16 September 1962 and was buried at Cammoney Cemetery, Newtownabbey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Promoted from the ranks having originally served as 2919 L/Corporal, 8th Hussars.

The citation for his Victoria Cross published in the London Gazette reads: - 'For most conspicuous bravery in attack. When all the officers of his company except for himself - and all but one in the leading company - had become casualties and losses were heavy, he assumed command of both companies and led them forward under heavy machine gun fire with great dash and success. He saw the battalion on his right held up by machine gun fire, and led a platoon to their assistance. 2/Lieutenant Covin then went on with only two men to a dug out. Leaving the men on top, he entered it alone and came out with fourteen prisoners. He then proceeded with his two men to another dug out which had been holding up the attack with rife and machine gun fire and bombs. This he reached and, killing or making prisoner of the crew, captured the machine gun. Being then attacked from another dug out by fifteen men and an officer, one his his own men was killed and the other wounded. Seizing a rifle he shot five of the enemy, and, using another as a shield, he forced most of the survivors to surrender. This officer cleared several other dug outs either alone or with his remaining man, taking about fifty prisoners in all. Later, he consolidated his position with great skill, and personally wired his front under heavy close range sniping in broad daylight, when all others had failed to do so. The complete success of the attack in this part of the line was mainly due to 2/Lieutenant Colvin's leadership and courage.'