Private Peter Connor.
241471 2/5th East Lancashire Regiment.
Missing in Action 21st March 1918. Aged 43.
Peter was born in the Dec. quarter of 1875 in Burnley, the son of Barbara Connor. In the 1881 census he was living at 32 Parker Lane with his mother Barbara 30 and grandmother Ann.
Peter married Margaret Ann Smith in the June quarter of 1894 and the 1901 census showed his family living at 7 Charles Row, Burnley, with his father in law John Smith aged 52. Peter was 26 and a coal miner, wife Margaret Ann 25 cotton spinner and daughters Annie 7 and Barbara 2.
In the 1911 census the family had moved to 50 Bank Parade, Burnley. Peter now 36 and still a coal miner, Margaret 35, Annie 16 cotton spinner, William 9, Margaret Hannah 7, Peter 5, and Charles Edward 3. Peter and Margaret having been married for 16 years had produced 9 children 4 of whom had died.
From the Burnley Express dated 18th May 1918: RECENTLY BURIED HIS BOY. WELL-KNOWN SPORTSMAN KILLED.
Official news has been received that private Peter Connor 241471, of the East Lancashire Regiment, was killed in action on March the 21st. His wife and four children reside at 18 Park Street Burnley and his mother, Mrs Feather, lives at 48 Bank Parade.
The deceased soldier, who was 43 years of age, came home on leave on February 18th to see his little boy, who was very ill. Sad to say, the boy died a few days after his father's arrival and the father attended the funeral, going back to the front on March 6th, and being killed as stated on the 21st.
The deceased was formerly a miner employed at Barden pit. He joined the army in May 1915 I went out in March 1917. He was a well-known Burnley wrestler and jumper and a keen sportsman in many ways. He played football in his youth with St Mary's school team. His son-in-law Pte.Thomas Gavin of the Scottish rifles, has been wounded and gassed, and has now gone out for the 5th time.
Peter lived at 18 Park St., Burnley.
Peter is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France: Panels 42 & 43.
