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.
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.
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.
The Battalion employed in the St Eloi trenches during August of 1916.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Transferred to England on 31 December 1918 and posted to Saskatchewan Regimental Depot, Bramshott.
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, son of William and Gertrude Conly, of Alliance, Alberta, KIA July 30, 1944. Buried at BRETTEVILLE-SUR-LAIZE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY.
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Comments
One response to “Private William Morrow Conly in the Great War”
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.