Colin was born on 25th March 1887 to parents Peter & Mary McOnie (nee Hart). He died, killed in action aged 30 years on 7th June 1917 in Messines.Messines (now Mesen) was considered a strong strategic position, not only from it height above the plain below, but from the extensive system of cellars under the convent known as the Institution Royale. The village was taken from the 1st Calvary Division by the German 26th Division on 31st October -1st November 1914. An attack by french troops on 6-7 November was unsuccessful and it wasn't until the battle of Messines on June 7 1917 that the NZ division won it back. This was the day Colin was killed in action. R.I.P Uncle Colin

Josephine Shaw