Canada, Commonwealth. An Rcmp Long Service Medal With 25 Years Clasp, Corporal Donald William Colquhoun

Elizabeth II (D.W. COLQUHOUN). In silver, Naming is engraved. Edge nicks, scattered tarnishing, light contact, original ribbon with one bronze clasp bearing a star denoting twenty-five years' service, better than very fine. Accompanied by copies of his extensive Service Records, along with various internal reports, certificates, crime reports, photocopied file photographs and Newspaper Articles, some of which are enclosed in binder.

Footnote: Donald William Colquhoun was born on January 26, 1912 in Vancouver, British Columbia, the son of Alex Colquhoun and Ada Colquhoun. His father was a postman in Vancouver, the family's religion stated as Presbyterian, with Donald acknowledged as having a "happy home life" growing up. He began school at the age of 6 and finished Grade 10, leaving school at the age of 17 in order to go to work. In school, by his own admission, he was good at drawing, poor at spelling and arithmetic, and played football, softball and baseball on school teams. He had a newspaper route while he was in school, and worked as a grocery store delivery boy during the summer months. Colquhoun spent three years at Vancouver Technical School in a general course. In the two years prior to him joining the British Columbia Provincial Police, he worked part time in a garage in Vancouver as a "grease monkey" and enjoyed garage work, as he was not skilled in any trade or profession. He enjoyed fishing and was fond of the outdoors.

Colquhoun joined the British Columbia Provincial Police (BCPP) as a Probationer on June 10, 1935, taking the Oath of Allegiance on July 1, 1935 at New Westminster. He was released from duty on November 7, 1935 and subsequently re-employed with the Emergency Squad as a Probationer on three occasions: May 11, 1936 (released from duty on May 18th), May 21st (released from duty on 26th) and June 22nd. He engaged as a Third Class Constable (#637) for three years' service at Namaino on April 1, 1937 and would soon see two promotions: to Second Class Constable on April 1, 1939 and to First Class Constable on April 1, 1941. Now 30 years old, he married Marguerite Catherine "Sadie" McKinney (born: May 1, 1907 in Scanlon, Carlton County, Minnesota) on April 1, 1942, the couple having no children. He re-engaged for additional service on numerous occasions.

A Letter of Appreciation came from the Commissioner on July 27, 1948, with Colquhoun receiving two Commendations from the Commissioner, on November 16, 1948 and May 18, 1949. In a ceremony held in Nanaimo, British Columbia in November 1948, an award had been made by Commissioner John Shirras of the BCPP to police constable Colquhoun, receiving a cheque in the amount of $25, presented to him by Mayor George Muir of Nanaimo, "for his bravery in entering the Civic Arena alone early one morning (Sunday, October 31, 1948) and firing two shots before he arrested Clayton MacDonald hiding under bleachers alongside the ice seats". He had entered the arena alone when he heard a noise while on patrol, cornering the suspect and arresting him. As of May 1950, Colquhoun stood an imposing 6 feet and weighed 265 pounds.

The British Columbia Provincial Police (BCPP) was the provincial police service of British Columbia, Canada, between 1858 and 1950. It was dissolved on August 15, 1950 and was replaced by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's "E" Division. Today, it is the largest police body in the province, providing federal and provincial services throughout the province and policing all but twelve municipalities. In some urban areas, some municipalities have their own police forces while neighbouring ones contract with "E" Division. 16365 First Class Constable Colquhoun was discharged from the British Columbia Provincial Police to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police upon amalgamation with that force, on August 14, 1950, credited with having served 14 years and 54 days with the British Columbia Provincial Police. He would continue serving in Nanaimo, posted to "E" Division of the Nanaimo Detachment on August 15, 1950.

Upon his absorption into the RCMP, his character assets were noted as "honest, sincere, conscientious", with the reviewer stating that Colquhoun was "A steady, efficient member. Knows his work and carries out his duties well. Gives advice to junior members." However, he did receive a warning in regards to the care and handling of prisoners in March 1952. He attended a Police Services Course in April 1954. Colquhoun received his Royal Canadian Mounted Police Long Service Medal on June 21, 1956, was promoted to Corporal on May 1, 1959 and received the Bronze Clasp with Star to the RCMPLSM on June 21, 1961. By 1962, it was confirmed by the RCMP that Corporal Colquhoun was not interested in a transfer from Nanaimo.

He was doing plain clothes work, however, his health was becoming an issue. He had been hospitalized earlier in the year for a slight heart condition and hypertension, with the attending physician putting him on a 900 calorie per day diet. He would lose weight but was instructed to lose more. His ill health was re-assessed via an interview conducted on September 13, 1963 at Victoria. Colquhoun was described in the report as a "massive man, very much overweight and suffers from a severe case of hypertension" and described himself as a "terrible worrier" while before the interviewer. He stated that he enjoyed games of whist, cribbage and social evenings with friends, that he drank only on social occasions and that he smoked cigarettes. His previous medical reports indicated that he was "in ill health and should not be on active police duty. A scuffle or over exertion of any type could easily be fatal."

Colquhoun was hoping to remain with the Nanaimo Detachment for another two or three years and then retire to pension, or be transferred to an office job elsewhere on Vancouver Island. The interviewer went on to state that "Due to his ill health, his output of work is deteriorating badly and a transfer seems to be the only solution. His morale is quite good." Two months later, in November 1963, Dr. Rich's report said that Colquhoun was to continue "to carry on sedentary duties", as he was currently assigned as a Radio and Telephone Orderly. The Administrative Officer of "E" Division recommended that Colquhoun be invalided to pension. 16365 Corporal Donald William Colquhoun, Royal Canadian Mounted Police was discharged and invalided to pension, on November 8, 1964. He was credited with having served a total of 28 years and 140 days (14 years and 54 days with the British Columbia Provincial Police, plus 13 years and nine and a half months with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police), his conduct noted as "Exemplary".

He would apply for a Disability Pension, plus post-discharge treatment and medication for high blood pressure and a heart condition. He and his wife resided in a rented home in Nanaimo. Donald William Colquhoun died on December 13, 1966 in Nanaimo, British Columbia, at the age of 54, his remains cremated. His widow, Marguerite Catherine "Sadie" McKinney Colquhoun, continued to receive his pension until her death on September 6, 1979 in Nanaimo, at the age of 72, her remains also cremated.