Private John Aloysius Conlan.
5713 2nd East Lancashire Regiment A Coy.
Missing in Action 18th October 1916, aged 23.
John Aloysius Conlan was born in the March quarter of 1895 in Burnley, the son of Patrick and Theresa Conlan. In the 1901 census the family lived at 5 Lincoln St., Burnley. Patrick 32 was a labourer, his wife Theresa 26 cotton weaver, John 7 and Thomas 4 all born in Burnley.
In the 1911 census the family had grown and three more children were born. Patrick 47, Theresa 37, John 16, Thomas 14, Herbert 8, Mary 10 and harry 1 living in 2 rooms at 91 Park St., Burnley.
From the Burnley Express dated 27th Jan 1917: ESCAPED FOR TWO YEARS - A FIRST EXPEDITIONARY MAN KILLED
After being at the front since the beginning of the War, and escaping unhurt and without illness for two years and two months, Pte. John Conlan, of the East Lancashire Regt. (5713), has been killed in action. Although his death took place as long ago as October 15, his mother who resides at 4, Horner’s Place, Barracks Road, Burnley, has only just received official intimation, and it would appear, therefore, that he has been reported missing. Pte. John Conlan was only 21 years of age about last Christmas time. He was in the Special Reserve of the East Lancashire Regt. when war broke out being at that time a drawer at Rowley Pit. He went out with one of the earlier expeditionary forces, and had been out ever since. He was a Roman Catholic, and attended St Mary’s Church. His mother, who has other children, has both her husband and another son serving with the forces. The father, who is 43 years old, is an old Army man, and offered his services, and is in Egypt at present with the garrison battalion of the Liverpool’s; whilst the son, Thomas, is also in Egypt, having served with the Territorials and fought in Gallipoli.
From the Burnley News dated 27th Jan 1917: BURNLEY COLLIER OFFICIAL NEWS OF DEATH IN ACTION.
Official news has this week been received of the death in action of Pte. John Conlan, 4, Horner’s Place, off Barracks Road, Burnley. He made the supreme sacrifice three months ago on October 15th. He joined the Army before the commencement of the war, and was in France a long time. Previously he was a collier at Rowley Pit. A brother Pte. Thomas Conlan, is serving in Egypt, while his father, Pte. Patrick Conlan, is also a soldier.
There is some confusion regarding John’s date of death. The Burnley press state the 15th Oct 1916 but according to the CWGC he was presumed dead on the 18th Oct 1916. Either way I have entered the dates for the war diary for both days.
Oct 15th Train left Fouquereuil at 1 am. And reached Pont Remy where the battalion detrained at 7.30 am. Marched to the billets at Cisternes, breakfasting by the road side en route. Billets were reached at 12 40 pm, no proper division had been made of the area which was shared by the 1st Worcester Regt., in consequence the Battalion was much split up and badly billeted, as the Worcester who arrives first, had chosen their billets irrespective of where the battalion was to be fitted in. Most uncomfortable in consequence. A wet, cold, rainy day. The men much fatigued, they are in no state for marching, after prolonged and continuous turns in the trenches. For this one day, the Division belonged to the Xth Corps.
18th Oct. A very wet night. Coy parade at 8 30am. Battalion parade at 11.30 am. Coy parades at 2.00pm. The Corps Commander Major General Lord Caran saw all officers of the 24th Brigade of the rank of Captain and upwards at 10.45 am. The Division now forms part of the 14th Corps. Brigade conference at 9.30am. A showery day. Continual heavy artillery bombardment.
Causalities for the month: Total killed 32, wounded 131, missing 27, sick 31.
John left his effects to his mother, Theresa.
Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France: Panel and Face 6 C
Photo courtesy of George Coppock, 2024