Notable Carman resident and Second World War veteran Carm Colvin is celebrating his 105th birthday on Nov. 30.
Colvin and two of his brothers fought for Canada in the Second World War and defended our country on various battlegrounds across Europe.
“There were three of us in the family, and my older brother and younger brother joined in early 1940,” said Carm Colvin. “The older brother went into the air force, and the younger brother went to the army with the Winnipeg Grenadiers. I didn’t join until early 1942.”
Colvin’s brother Fred was one of the Winnipeg Grenadiers that was taken as a POW during the Battle of Hong Kong and later died during the war while in Japanese custody. To commemorate Fred’s sacrifice, the Manitoba government named Colvin Lake, located southwest of Nueltin Lake, in his honour in 1972.
From 1942 to 1945, Carm Colvin spent time overseas in England, Scotland, Belgium, France, Holland, Luxembourg and Germany. Over that time, he missed seeing or talking to his then-new wife, Vera. The letters sent from one another during the war were also very censored so that his location would not be given away.
After several years of fighting in Europe, Colvin was relieved to have survived the war when it finally ended in 1945.
“The day before the war was over, our captain was killed, and I was appointed to dig a grave for him and give him a proper burial,” said Colvin. “That’s what I was doing at 11 in the morning, taking charge of digging a grave for the captain. And while I was doing that, somebody came and told me that the war was over. This was on May 9, 1945, and I was in Germany at the time.”
Returning home healthy after the war to his wife Vera in Carman, Colvin adjusted back to home life. They resided in town for a few years before relocating in 1952 to a property on the Carman west road, where they raised their family.
“It’s a big change because you found out quickly that you have to fend for yourself. In the army, you don’t think. Instead, you do as you’re told, as everything’s planned for you. When you get home, you’re on your own, so it was a bit of an adjustment.”
Two years ago, Colvin received the highest honour the nation of France can bestow on a civilian or military personnel when he was made a Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour. Over the years, France has Knighted 1,600 Canadian soldiers for their bravery.
Colvin, who will be turning 105 on Nov. 30, has been a proud member of the Carman Legion for over 75 years. In terms of his out-of-this-world longevity, Colvin insists that he tries to keep himself busy and always likes to be doing something.
Colvin attended this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony in Carman and received a long standing ovation from everybody in attendance. On Nov. 25, the Carman Legion held a birthday celebration for Colvin, while the Ladies Auxiliary provided the luncheon. Roughly 150 people were in attendance, and one of the musical groups that he regularly plays in performed at the party.
“Dad is doing okay but had some setbacks in October, with the flu and a fall,” said Carm’s son Fred Colvin. “He hasn’t been playing music much as a result but is fighting his way back. He’s just weak but still at home and as sharp as ever.”
Standard Photo By Dennis Young
