German N.C.O. prisoner lights a cigarette for a wounded Canadian at the taking of Arleux. MIKAN No. 3194801

Private William Morrow Conly in the Great War

Home | Soldiers | Private William Morrow Conly in the Great War

During his 26 months on the Western Front, Private William Morrow Conly serves with the 25th Coy CFC, 28th and 46th Battalions.

William Morrow Conly born 17 November 1893 in Drumcraw Co, Antrim, Ireland. A farmer.

Private William Morrow Conly 440354 enlisted at Sewell Camp, with 53rd Battalion 14 June 15. Twenty one years, 7 months old, standing 5′ 9″ tall, 150 pounds, with fair complexion, bluish-grey eyes and brown hair.

53rd Battalion

Organized in March 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel R M Dennistoun. 86 of 1 July 1915. Mobilized at Winnipeg, and recruited in Prince Albert Saskatoon, Battleford and Melfort. Drafts of 5 officers and 250 other ranks sent to England on 17 June and 4 September 1915. Embarked from Halifax 1 April 1916 aboard EMPRESS OF BRITAIN, and later disembarked England 9 April 1916 with a strength of 35 officers, 1063 other ranks. Drafts of 250 each in June and Sept. 1915 to 12th Canadian Reserve Battalion in England. Draft of 900 to France, 6 Dec. 1916. Battalion depleted by 30 September 1916.

Private William Morrow Conly entered France on 8 June 1916 with the 28th Battalion.

28th Battalion

Organized in October 1914 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J  F  L Embury. Mobilized at Winnipeg. Recruited in Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, Fort William, Port Arthur and Prince Albert.

3215358
General Embury, Canadian Section G.H.Q. “G.H.Q.” refers to General Headquarters. In July 1918 John F.L. Embury was appointed Officer in Charge of the Canadian Section at G.H.Q. He had previously commaned the 28th Battalion and the 2nd Brigade. MIKAN No. 3215358

The 28th Battalion embarked from Montreal 29 May 1915 aboard NORTHLAND, and later disembarked England 8 June 1915 with a strength of 36 officers, 1084 other ranks. Arrived in France 17 September 1915, with the 2nd Canadian Division, 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by 15th Canadian Reserve Battalion.

MIKAN No. 3329078
The Ramparts. Ypres [Belgium].  MIKAN No. 3329078

Pte Conly joined his unit at D Camp. The unit also posted to the Ramparts (Ypres) at this time. Considerable time spent at Bedford House during July of 1916.

Ypres. Brigade H.Q. in in Bedford House, Grounds
Ypres. Brigade H.Q. in in Bedford House, Grounds

The Battalion employed in the St Eloi trenches during August of 1916.

St. Eloi Craters. Kemmel in background
St. Eloi Craters. Kemmel in background

Battle of the Somme

In an attack made along SUGAR TRENCH on the afternoon of 27 September 1916. A raiding party held a German communication trench for sometime, and captured several prisoners. During the assault, Private William Morrow Conly GSW Chest and right knee, 27 September 1916.

https://youtu.be/pHV34_5QuDw
Preparations of training and planning were made by the B.E.F. well before the days of the week-long preparatory bombardment.

Wounded

Pte Conly soon admitted to No 1 Australian General Hospital, Rouen, 27 September 1916. Private William Morrow Conly 2nd W G Manchester, 30 September 1916. To Woodcote, 23 October 1916.

Wounded british soldiers are crouched around a stove, holding a captured Pickelhaube (helmet) and bayonet.
Wounded british soldiers are crouched around a stove, holding a captured Pickelhaube (helmet) and bayonet.

Back in England, Pte Conly ToS No 25 Coy, CFC, London, 18 February 1917.

No 25 Coy, Canadian Forestry Corps

Organized at Sunningdale under the command of Captain J Wilson. Personnel from 230th Battalion and over half of them were from British Columbia. Arrived in France 13 February 1917 and sent to Avesnes-le-Comte. Claimed to be the first (Canadian Forestry Corps) company in the war area.

Forestry Control Department, La forêt de Nieppe, March 1917.

Again, Private William Morrow Conly proceeds overseas to France with CFC, 3 March 1917.

Private William Morrow Conly awarded One Good Conduct Badge, 11 June 1917.

MIKAN No. 3522684 Private William Morrow Conly
Two French boys at Embarkation Camp, Havre – ‘Inspection of 4th Canadian Division by King Albert of Belgium.’ March 1919. MIKAN No. 3522684

Granted 15 days leave to UK, 23 February 1918.

Private William Morrow Conly SoS No 25 Coy, CFC on transfer to 46th Battalion, 3 October 1918.

46th Battalion

Organized in February 1915 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hubert Snell. Mobilized at Moose Jaw and recruited in Moose Jaw, Regina, Weyburn, Estevan and Arcola. Draft of 5 officers and 250 other ranks sent to England on 5 July 1915. Smaller draft sent to England on 4 September 1915.

MIKAN No. 3522145 Private William Morrow Conly
Officers of the 46th Canadian Infantry Battalion. MIKAN No. 3522145

Embarked from Halifax 23 October 1915 aboard LAPLAND and later disembarked England 30 October 1915 with a strength of 36 officers, 1115 other ranks. Disembarked in France 10 August 1916 with 4th Canadian Division, 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by 19th Canadian Reserve Battalion.

Brig.-Gen. Hayter & Staff, 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade. May, 1918 Private William Morrow Conly
Brig.-Gen. Hayter & Staff, 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade. May, 1918. MIKAN No. 3522199

Dislocation of Arm

Private William Morrow Conly, dislocation left arm, No 56 General Hospital, Etaples, 18 November 1918. To No 6 Convalescent Hospital, Etaples, 25 November 1918.

Funeral of Canadian Nursing Sister Gladys Maude Mary Wake, 22 May 1918, Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais.
Funeral of Canadian Nursing Sister Gladys Maude Mary Wake, 22 May 1918, Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais.

Transferred to England on 31 December 1918 and posted to Saskatchewan Regimental Depot, Bramshott.

Bramshott Camp © IWM HU 128884 Private William Morrow Conly
Bramshott Camp © IWM HU 128884

Private William Morrow Conly SoS to 15th Reserve Battalion on 6 January 1919.

Pte Conly leaves Kinmel Park for Canada on 14 February 1919, just missing the Kinmel Park Riots.

Legacy

William Morrow Conly passed away at the age of 85 on 4 November 198, pre-deceased by his son William. He left to mourn his loss, his wife Gertrude, two sons, Garth of Glen Morris, Ontario and ninety-five year-old Gerald of Vancouver, and daughter Evelyn. Brother Alex of Macklin, Saskatchewan and sister Lizzie Moore of Northern Ireland. Buried at Glenwood Memorial Gardens.

Pilot Officer William Morrow Conly
Pilot Officer William Morrow Conly

Pilot Officer William Morrow Conly, son of William and Gertrude Conly, of Alliance, Alberta, KIA July 30, 1944. Buried at BRETTEVILLE-SUR-LAIZE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY.

North Nova Scotia Highlanders and Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment soldiers of Ardenne Abbey massacre June 7-8, 1944

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One response to “Private William Morrow Conly in the Great War”

  1. David Conly Avatar
    David Conly

    Fabulous research done on my Grandpa’s WW1 history. The chronological summary was accurate and was filled in with interesting example photographs from the locations and units. Much appreciated.