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 was born 19th February 1892 in Liverpool and was baptised 28th February 1892 at Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernard, Liverpool. He was the son of James and Catherine Concannon (nee Cavanagh, her mother's surname is spelt Kavanagh on the 1911 Census). His parents had married in 1881. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 8 Eden Street, Toxteth. Edward is one of six children, his siblings being James, Elizabeth, Simon, Thomas and Wifred.

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. 

He attested on 11th September 1914 at Liverpool, joining in the 19th Battalion, 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, of fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England. 

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th 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 7^th 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.

King’s (Liverpools).- Concannon, 17800, Act. Co. Sergt.-Major E.

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 8 Right as 3rd Battalion

Edward is commemorated on the following Memorials in Liverpool:

St Clare RC church

Catholic Institute WW1 board now situated in St Edward's College, West Derby.

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.

Soldiers Effects to his father James and pension to his mother Catherine.