Help me find family of tragic airman John
Historian Peter searches for crash victim’s relatives
A Paisley historian is searching for the relatives of a Paisley airman who lost his life in a crash during World War II.
Flight Sergeant John Colhoun was flying in a Hudson bomber of the Royal Air Force on September 16, 1943, when it came down in County Wexford in the south-east of Ireland.
His body was brought home and he is buried in Paisley’s Hawkhead Cemetery.
Renfrewshire Family History Society member Peter Hutchison said: “A monument is being erected and dedicated to him and his two comrades who died with him in Wexford.
“This dedication will take place in September on the 75th anniversary of his death.
“Although John died in Ireland, his body was brought home and interred in Hawkhead Cemetery.
“I would like to try to have some small token of remembrance at his graveside to coincide with that taking place in Ireland.
“I would also love to find out if any of John’s descendants are still living in the area and may possibly have a photograph of him.
“If one was available I would like to include it in my research.”
It was recorded that about 3.15pm on September 16, 1943, that an aircraft crashed into a field in the townland of Kinnagh.
Local Gardai and members of the Local Defence Force were first to the scene and they reported back to the Irish Army coastal fort at Duncannon.
No aid could be brought to the occupants of the aircraft as it had been completely destroyed in the crash.
The aircraft had been consumed by the post-crash fire. The military party from the 1st Field Company based at Duncannon could do no more than gather up the wreckage and return it to the fort for disposal.
Despite the fire which burned on into the evening, these two bodies were recovered and another was then found under the aircraft.
John Colhoun was the son of Patrick and Margaret Theresa Colhoun.
He had attended Saint Mirin’s Academy and was a 1939 Graduate of the University of Glasgow.
Mr Colhoun is buried with his parents in the plot in Paisley.
He may have had a brother named Michael who passed away in 1969.
Mr Hutchison said it would be fitting to mark the anniversary of Mr Colhoun’s death with a small ceremony at his grave.
“I’m hoping that the Air Training Corps could be there and that a priest could say a few words,” he added.
If you can help Mr Hutchison in his search for family members of Mr Colhoun, please call Kenneth Speirs at the Paisley Daily Express on 0141 309 3555.