1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
C.S.M 17800 Edward Concannon
- Age: 24
- From: Liverpool
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
- K.I.A Wednesday 13th September 1916
- Commemorated at: Loos Memorial
Panel Ref: P27-30
Edward F. (probably Francis) was born on the 19th February 1892 in Liverpool the son of James Concannon and his wife Catherine (née Kavanagh) who were married on the 01st October 1881 at St Francis Xavier's Church. James was of Shaw Street, parents James and Winifred, whilst Catherine was of Field St,reet parents Edward and Eliza Kavanagh. Edward was baptised on the 28th February 1892 at Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernard's Church, Liverpool.
The 1901 Census shows the family living at 8 Eden Street, Toxteth. His father, James, is aged 40, a machine minder in cold stores, his mother, Catherine, is aged 39. Edward, aged 9, is one of six children, his siblings being James 18, a telegram messenger, Elizabeth 14, an apprentice dressmaker, Simon 11, Thomas 5 and Wilfred 2. Also present is Catherine’s mother Elizabeth Kavanagh 66.
The 1911 Census shows the family living at 56 Wordsworth St, Lodge Lane, Liverpool. His father, James, is aged 51, born in Galway in 1860 and employed as an engine minder. His mother, Catherine, is aged 49, born in 1862 in Wexford and has no occupation listed. They have been married for thirty years and have had nine children of which two had died. At the taking of the Census they have all their children living with them. James aged 28, born 1883 in Wexford is a postman, Elizabeth aged 24, born 1887 is a dressmaker; Simon aged 21, born 1890 is a general labourer, Edward aged 19, born 1892 is a pupil teacher, Thomas aged 15, born 1896 has no occupation listed, Wilfred aged 12, born 1899 and Martin 8, born 1903 are both at school. They also have Elizabeth Kavanagh, a widow aged 76, born 1835 in Wexford living at the address.
Prior to enlisting Edward was a teacher at St Anne's School, Rock Ferry.
Edward was a fine footballer and athlete as reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on Tuesday 16 June 1914:
A Record and its Sequel.
Mr E. F. Concannon, who won the long jump championship of the Northern Counties at Fallowfield, on Saturday, is a member of the Knotty Ash Harriers and of the Catholic Institute Old Boys’ Association. His jump, which creates a record by beating by two inches the previous record established in 1883, measured 22ft 5in. after two inches had been deducted to allow for an alleged piece of “poaching” at the jump-off. Mr Concannon (says a correspondent) recently headed the novices’ entries in the Olympic trials at Manchester, and on July 4 will compete at Stamford Bridge for the championship, the record for which 22ft. 6in. Mr. Concannon is well known locally as footballer playing left half for the Catholic Institute Old Boys, in the success of which last season he was an important factor. It is interesting to note that while Mr. Concannon was breaking the record somebody broke into the dressing-room and went through his pockets. The gentleman was, however, sufficiently gallant to leave him his railway ticket and sixpence!
He attested on the 11th September 1914 at Liverpool, joining in the 19th Battalion, of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17800. He gave his age as 22 years and 180 days, and his occupation as a teacher. He was described as being five feet nine inches tall, weighed 135lbs, 37” chest, of fresh complexion, with grey eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England, and his next of kin as his father, James, of 56 Wordsworth Street.
Formed on 07th September 1914 the 19th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7th November 1915.
His service record shows:
19th September 1914: Promoted to Corporal.
04th March 1915: Promoted to Sergeant.
20th-31st May 1916: On leave to UK
14th-17th June 1916: To Div. gun school
07th Aug 1916: Appointed Acting Company Sergeant Major.
He was killed in action during a Trench raid on 13th September 1916. The raiding party were trying to discover the German unit holding the line opposite them. The party was discovered and engaged. Edward was one of four men killed, the others being Lieutenant Richard Glyn Lloyd, Private Albert Worsley and Private Thomas Jordan. Edward was 24 years old when he was killed. His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.
The Loos Memorial commemorates over 20,000 officers and men who have no known grave, who fell in the area from the River Lys to the old southern boundary of the First Army, east and west of Grenay, from the first day of the Battle of Loos to the end of the war. On either side of the cemetery is a wall 15 feet high, to which are fixed tablets on which are carved the names of those commemorated. At the back are four small circular courts, open to the sky, in which the lines of tablets are continued, and between these courts are three semicircular walls or apses, two of which carry tablets, while on the centre apse is erected the Cross of Sacrifice.
The memorial was designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Charles Wheeler. It was unveiled by Sir Nevil Macready on 4 August 1930.
MISSING.
King’s (Liverpools).- Concannon, 17800, Act. Co. Sergt.-Major E.
He was posted as Missining also in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 20 January 1917:
MISSING SOLDIERS.
The photograph is of Company-Sergeant-Major E. F. Concannon, the well-known Knotty Ash harrier and Northern Counties long jump champion who is missing. He was a very popular young athlete and his many friends all hope to hear good news of him before long.
Correspondence in his file, dated the 01st June 1917, between the Pals Prison of War Committee and Preston Barracks indicate they were still under the impression he was a POW, and were hence requesting further information.
Preston replied saying that the information was only verbal (from his mother) and not definite.
Personal items returned included prayer book, razors and case, mirror, pouch, badge, disc, pipe, cig holder, nail clippers, 3 letters, 4 postcards, 2 photos, pocket case.
He earned his three medals.
Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £7 2s 9d, War Gratuity £14 10s to his father James, and pension of 11/- pw to his mother Catherine (all in the name Edward F. Concannon).
His father, died, aged 59, on the 22nd February 1922 and was buried at Ford Cemetery.
The family grave reads:-
Merciful Jesus
Give Rest to the Souls of
ELIZABETH KAVANAGH
Late of Ferns, Co.Wexford
Who Died March 13, 1916, aged 80 Years.
Also JAMES
Beloved Husband Of Catherine Concannon
And Son-in-law of above
Died February 12, 1922, aged 59 Years.
Also EDWARD F. COCANNON
Their Son
Sgt. Mjr. 3rd Liverpool Pals
Missing, Presumed Killed in France
September 16, 1916, aged 23 Years.
Also JAMES JOSEPH
The Beloved Son of the above JAMES
Who died December 30, 1937, aged 65 years.
His mother, died, aged 81, in 1943.
Her death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on Wednesday 17 February 1943:
CONCANNON – Feb 15, at 56 Wordsworth Street, Liverpool 8, alter long Illness patiently borne, CATHERINE, dearly-beloved wife of the late James Concannon. Fortified by rites of Holy Church. Requiem Mass at St. Clare’s, Arundle Avenue, to-morrow (Thursday), 9.50 a.m.; Interment immediately afterwards at Ford Cemetery.
Edward is commemorated on the following Memorials in Liverpool:
Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 8 Right as 3rd Battalion
St Clare RC church
Catholic Institute WW1 board now situated in St Edward's College, West Derby.
We currently have no further information on Edward Concannon, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
Killed On This Day.
(110 Years this day)Wednesday 19th April 1916.
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