South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 4069 John Henry CONWAY - 9th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Killed in action on Tuesday 10th August 1915 aged 39


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
Gallipoli 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Helles Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
13 Jul 1915 in Gallipoli ~ Stratford on Avon WW1 Memorial
    Stratford Holy Trinity Church 
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted Stratford Cemetery Memorial 
Battle of Sari Bair On or After 5 Aug 1914 in Stratford on Avon  
     
Place of Death Previous Service, Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
Sari Bair, Turkey  See below  
     

Previous Service History

  • 07 Dec 1892 - Enlisted in
  • 13 Oct 1894 - Posted to Ceylon
  • 19 Mar 1896 - Posted to Malta
  • 21 Jan 1897 - Posted to Egypt
  • 18 Oct 1898 - Posted to East Indies
  • 28 Nov 1902 - Posted to Home
  • 06 Dec 1908 - Retired after 16 years service

Circumstances of Death

John is listed as being killed in action on 10th August 1915. The 9th Battalion war diary entries for the period 9th to 11th August are transcribed below.

Kunja Dere – 09.8.1915: At stand to, 3.30am. D Coy were withdrawn from the trenches dug during the night as it was found impossible, owing to the incompleteness of the trenches, to keep them there with rifle and machine gun fire playing down on them from above.

Lookouts were posted and an Outpost place in front of the trenches. A body of 40 men were kept close at hand and the remainder of D, one platoon of B and part of C Coy were kept nearby in the Gull as support.

About 6pm the Worcesters relieve the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in this position. A Coy under Major R.G. Shuttleworth, held a position on The Farm.

About 3pm all of B Coy took up a position to the left of A Coy and C Coy moved to the left and rear of B Coy.

During the day the following casualties occurred:
Killed Officers 1; OR 4. Wounded Officers 2 OR 9.
Effective strength: Officers 10, OR 572

Aghyl Dere Gully 10th Aug 1915: Early on the morning of the 10th the Turks attacked our position with disastrous results for the Warwickshire Regiment. It was found impossible to hold the line with no support immediately available. The Ghurkas and Sikhs retired, the trenches were enfiladed by machine gun fire and our men were mown down. Casualties which occurred during the day were – killed: officers 4, O.R. 44; Wounded: officers 4, O.R. 147; Missing: officers 1, O.R. 117; sick O.R. 16; Total casualties: officers 9, O.R. 324. Effective strength remaining: officers 1, attached officers 2, O.R. 248.

The remainder of the Battalion returned to the Brigade reserve rest camp near Brigade Headquarters.

Kunja Dere – 11.8.1915: The Battalion took over the Sikhs post and remained there during the day. Captain & Adjutant C.C.R. Nevill, the only officer left with the Regiment was wounded.

Casualties: Killed Nil; Wounded 1 Officer & 1 OR.
Missing returned to unit: 41 OR
Effective strength: Officers Nil; Other Ranks 288


 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
8 Aug 1875 in Stratford surname Conmee 18 Oct 1875 at Stratford Holy Trinity
   
Parents Names Abode
Charlotte Conmee / Conway (see below) Field Barn, Preston on Stour (servant aged 60)
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Elizabeth Conway nee Kemp Dorothy, Kathleen, William, Charles, & John 
4 Apr 1908 in   
   
Schools Colleges
Union Workhouse School, Stratford ~
   
Address History Employment History
1875 - Union Workhouse, Stratford on Avon 1881 - School age
1881 - Union Workhouse, Stratford on Avon   1891 - Labourer
1891 - 6 Emms Court, Stratford on Avon 1892 - Soldier in Royal Warwickshire Regt
1901 - Army Barracks, East Indies 1901 - Soldier in Royal Warwickshire Regt
1911 - 7 Victoria Terrace, Stratford on Avon  1911 - Brewery Cellarman 
1915 - 7 Victoria Terrace, Stratford on Avon  1914 - Brewery Cellarman 
   
  • Brother of Frederick Conway who also fell
  • John's surname at birth was Conmee and he was born in the Union Workhouse in Stratford on Avon
  • John's fathers name is not given on the birth certificate
  • His mother, Charlotte had 4 boys, John Henry, James Alfred b 1873 & twins Frederick & Arthur b Apr-Jun Qtr 1877 all as Conmee
  • In 1881 Charlotte, James, John, Frederick & Arthur were all living in the Union Workhouse, Stratford on Avon
  • Alfred joined the Merchant Navy and was drowned in 1891 when he fell overboard from the trawler Sea Belle off Spurn Head.
  • We have not researched the life of Arthur.