Arthur Lloyd Donald Colquhoun

Rank: 
Lieutenant
Regimental number: 
270096
Unit at enlistment: 
215th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Cemetery: 
Greenwood Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario
Commemorated at: 
Park Baptist Church
Birth country: 
Canada
Birth county: 
Simcoe
Birth city: 
Barrie, Ontario
Address at enlistment: 
237 Dalhousie Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
237 Dalhousie Street, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Student
Religious denominations: 
Baptist
Marital status: 
Single
Age at enlistment: 
18

Letters and documents

BX April 3, 1916

Last Male Member is now in Khaki – Only Mrs. Colquhoun Remains and she is a Patriotic League Worker

One of the latest recruits to the 215th Battalion is Arthur Lloyd Donald Colquhoun last male member of the family of Lieut.-Col. M.A. Colquhoun, now at the front in charge of the 4th Battalion (Mad Fourth). Lloyd has for some time been a silver wolf of the Boy Scouts and his enlistment is a record that will be hard to beat. Another son, Wyn, is a lieutenant with the 204th Battalion, but the last recruit is not as yet of age to qualify for an officer. Patriotic to a degree is the whole family. 

Though she has made the sacrifice seeing her last son enlist, Mrs. Colquhoun is still devoting all her spare time to patriotic work.

BX November 16, 1932

Instantly Killed in Auto Mishap – Lloyd Colquhoun Killed When Can He Was Driving Skidded in Snow and Crashed Into Hydro Pole – Sandbags Used for Ballast in Rear of Roadster Struck Driver as Car Turned Over

Lloyd Colquhoun, son of Col. M.A. Colquhoun, D.S.O, C.M.G., and Mrs. Colquhoun, 237 Dalhousie Street, was instantly killed last night in an auto accident on Greenwich Street near the Hydro sub-station at 11:20 o’clock when the roadster car he was driving skidded on the road in the slush and snow and crashed into a Hydro pole. The pole was snapped off and the car rolled part way down the bank toward the canal, which runs parallel to the road at the spot. Sandbags behind the seat in the roadster, and which were used as ballast, crashed through the seat as the car rolled over and Mr. Colquhoun was smothered and crushed as the bags struck him, according to police. There was no partition between the back of the car, where a rumble seat is often located, and the driver’s seat.

Leon Robins, 16 Cayuga Street, was riding in the car driven by Mr. Colquhoun. He escaped uninjured and will appear as a material witness.

Coroner Dr. R.L. Hutton and Dr. O.C. Dinniwell attended the scene a short time after the accident occurred and the ambulance was summoned. The car was righted and Mr. Colquhoun’s body was removed to Beckett’s undertaking parlors.

Brakes Applied

Sergt. Cara and Motorcycle Officer George Kerr conducted an investigation and it was stated that Mr. Colquhoun’s car had skidded on the road when the brakes were applied hurriedly. Mr. Robins told police that a car was headed toward the Colquhoun car and very bright lights blinded Mr. Colquhoun who was forced to attempt to draw to a stop or swerve off to the side of the road. The Colquhoun car was proceeding south on Greenwich Street and when the brakes were applied, the wheels failed to hold on the greasy road, the auto sliding from the right hand side of the road to the left hand side and into the pole.

It was impossible to tell just how far the car skidded, police stated, as the slush on the road did not hold the skid marks. The blinding snow and the wet road had made it difficult for all motorists last night and in the case of Mr. Colquhoun it was a fatal factor. In Mr. Robins’ case he was very fortunate to escape with hardly a scratch, police stated. The car was badly wrecked.

Both Mr. Colquhoun and Mr. Robins were proceeding to Mr. Robin’s home on Cayuga Street when the fatal mishap occurred.

Mr. Colquhoun was well known in this city, having been a former employee of the Massey-Harris Company and a salesman of the Brantford Roofing. The tragedy was a sudden blow to his parents, Col. M.A. Colquhoun and Mrs. Colquhoun, both of whom are highly respected residents of this City.
Mr. Colquhoun left this city with the 215th Battalion and he served overseas. When he returned to Brantford he became a member of the Dufferin Rifles of Canada where he was adjutant with the rank of captain up until the time of his resignation a short time ago.

An inquest was ordered by Crown Attorney W.M. Charlton and Coroner Dr. R.L. Hutton and it opened this afternoon at 3:30 at Beckett’s undertaking parlors. An adjournment was made.

The Jurors were: Gordon White, Alex Stewart, Bruce Miller, E.J. Harris, Robert Grinton, Thomas Street, Arthur Howes and Archibald Moir.

The funeral of Capt. A. Lloyd D. Colquhoun, V.D., will be conducted Friday afternoon, with full military honors from the home to Park Baptist Church. Interment will be made in Greenwood cemetery. Lieut.-Col W. Joyce, officer commanding and the officers and men of the 1st Battalion Dufferin Rifles and bands will be on parade.

BX November 19, 1932

Military Funeral of Capt. Colquhoun – Dufferin Rifles and Other Officers in Solemn Procession

With full military honors the body of Capt. A. Lloyd D. Colquhoun, V.D., son of Col. M.A. Colquhoun, D.S.O., C.M.G., and Mrs. Colquhoun, was conveyed to its lasting place in Greenwood cemetery yesterday afternoon. Three volleys were fired over the grave and Last Post and Reveille were sounded as the remains were interred. The services at Park Baptist church and at the graveside were conducted by Rev. Walter T. Steven, M.A., who spoke from the text: “So teach us to number our days that we may get us a heart of wisdom.”

The funeral cortege was a lengthy one, and officers and men of the 1st Battalion Dufferin rifles of Canada, and other military representatives marched in solemn procession to the strains of the “dead March in Saul,” played softly by the brass band of the Battalion as the cortege moved from the home to the church and from the church to the cemetery. Drums were muffled.

A firing squad of 12 men, a corporal and a sergeant led the procession, the main body of the cortege being composed of 100 men and five officers of the Dufferin Rifles, and buglers of the battalion. Representative Officers from all other militia units of the garrison were in attendance, the representation being from the 10th Brant Dragoons, 54th Battery and “C” company, Third Canadian Machine Gun Battalion.

The pallbearers, officers of the Dufferin Rifles of the same rank as the deceased, were: Captains C.C. Slemin, R.J. Black, R.A. Henwood, W.G. Buskard, E.R. Greenwood and John Firth.

Following interment the parade returned to the Dufferin Rifles armories where it was dispersed. To show their respect and sympathy to Col. M.A. Colquhoun in the loss of his son, members of the Canadian Legion, among whom were many who had served under Col. Colquhoun in the “Mad Fourth” battalion overseas, marched to the church and cemetery.

Park Baptist church was filled to capacity and crowds lined the streets along which the procession passed. It was the first full military funeral held here for a number of years.

Capt. The Hon. And Rev. W.G. Martin and rev. F.G. Burrill, Toronto, a former pastor of Park Baptist church, assisted Rev. Mr. Steven in the service.

“There is never a dark cloud but has its silver lining,” the Hon. Mr. Martin said. “While we meet this afternoon beneath a burden of great sorrow, the fact that such a large number present here are willing to share that burden must be a comfort to those who are bereaved.

“There can be no satisfaction to a parent’s heart comparable to that time when one of their own flesh and blood has attained the esteem and affection of those in that community in which he lived.”

The Hon. Mr. Martin touched upon the war service of Capt. Colquhoun, and he noted the great spirit of adventure which called the deceased to take up arms in defense of his country. “And in all this” Hon. Mr. Martin said, “he was following the footsteps of his father. The name Colquhoun is a household word in Brantford, in Brant County and beyond, and this young man has maintained the tradition of heroism that was a part of his home training.

“Within the shelter and refuge of a Christian church we meet this afternoon, and the confidence which is ours lies in the fact that Jesus of Nazareth was called upon to pass through the vale of the shadows, from whence none had returned. But He came back, and opened the door that men might catch a glimpse of what lies beyond, to see that world where the dreams of glorious youth shall be splendidly fulfilled.

“Our refuge our strength, this afternoon is the Lord of life. And before the last notes of Last Post die away we hear the clear, clear trumpet call of Reveille which ushers in a new day of service and light.”

Rev. Mr. Steven

“I am reminded today of a passage from the 90th Psalm: ‘So teach us to number our days that we may get us a heart of wisdom,’ and I hope that that is the prayer of everyone in this auditorium this afternoon,” Rev. Mr. Steven said. “We must get us a heart of wisdom. Life is the intensity of living, not the number of years in which we live and breathe. It is necessary that you may learn to so number your days that you may get a heart of wisdom. Things of the heart, love, emotion and recognizance of Jesus Christ are the eternal things.

“We know that God’s hands are upon the lives and hearts of men. We come this afternoon with hearts of deepest sympathy for those who are bereaved. May God grant in this hour that His peace and grace rest upon them.”

A solo, “the Old Rugged Cross” was beautifully rendered by Stanly Harris. They hymn was a favorite of the deceased.

The buglers, members of the Canadian Legion, who sounded Last Post, were H. Taylor, S. Lowe and J. Fossey.

A Lengthy Record

Capt. Colquhoun had had a lengthy military record and he was one of the youngest members of the Canadian militia to receive a long service medal.

He had been prominent as a Boy Scout in this city when a lad, and at the age of 10 years he was presented with a Silver Wolf badge by the Duke of Connaught. He joined the signalling corps of the first battalion, Dufferin Rifles when he was 11 years old and he was granted permission to wear a scout uniform at that time, as no uniform that the battalion had was small enough for him. At the age of 17 he went overseas with the 215th Battalion, with the rank of sergeant and while at Sandling, England, he was assigned to the brigade signalers, his father, Col. M.A. Colquhoun being in command of the brigade.

He left for France with the 19th Battalion and he was returned to England in June, 1918 for a commission as lieutenant. Following the armistice he was aide-de-camp to Col. Colquhoun at Kinmel Park camp, Wales, where he remained until he returned to Canada in September, 1919. He was connected with the Dufferin Rifles shortly after his return where he obtained the rank of captain.

He received his long service medal three years ago, one of the youngest members of the Canadian militia to be so recognized. He was a member and usher at Park Baptist church and also a member of Doric lodge, A.F. and A.M.

There were many beautiful floral tributes from organizations and societies and included among the number were those from the 4th Battalion, Brantford, United Sergeants’ Mess, Canadian Legion, Brantford, officers and members of the Brantford club, officers of the Dufferin Rifles, Cities Service Oil company, Major S.C. Clegg and officers of “C” company, Third Canadian Machine Gun battalion, Big Sisters, executive of the Brantford Community league, employees of the Massey-Harris company, Canadian Legion, branch 126, Preston; 4th Battalion, London branch; Dufferin Rifles chapter, I.O.D.E.; officers of the 54th Battery, 4th Battalion, Toronto branch; Doric lodge, A.F. and A.M.; red Cross, Women’s Mission circle, Park Baptist church; Dominion association, 4th Battalion, Hamilton; Canadian Legion, Paris; Shriner’s, C.M. Class, Park Baptist church; Municipal chapter, I.O.D.E.; 4th Battalion, Hamilton branch. There were many letters of condolence received this morning at the home of his parents.

Many from out-of-town attended, including Mr. and Mrs. J. Pearsall and Vernon Pearsall, Toronto; Brig. H. Hatch, Hamilton; Major Craig Wright, Major Alex Gates, Major and Mrs. E.C. Emmons, Hamilton; Col. Walter Towers, Major Cecil Sterling and Major Cowell, Toronto; Mr. Rathbun, Burford; Mrs. A. Clarke, Indianapolis, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. James Adlams, W. Adams and Mrs. George Kilcey, Toronto; Mrs. Sam Patton, Mr. Will Patton, Col. Fred Miller, MC., Mrs. Wm. Miller, Mrs. Dimma and son, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cahill, Dr. and Mrs. Ted Balfour, Toronto; Mrs. J. McCracken, Everett; Mrs. Ed. Harris, Mrs. Nickel, Toronto; Mr. and Mrs. Warren Johnson, Barrie; Mr. and Mrs. W. Shook, Mrs. Wallace Walker, Toronto; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Allan, Dunnville, Mr. and Mrs. C. r. Gilpin, Toronto; Mrs. Rathbun and Doris, Burford.