Andrew Marshall Posted 5 September , 2004 Share Posted 5 September , 2004 Hi all Can anyone explain how this man is buried so far from any of the other casualties for his battalion? Private WILLIAM CONNOR 350975, 1st/7th Bn., Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who died age 25 on 18 July 1918 Son of M. A. Connor, of Redhall, Slateford, Edinburgh. Remembered with honour PROVINS (HAUTE-VILLE) COMMUNAL CEMETERY He is the only casualty in this cemetery and Provins is to the south of the French sector. Regards Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 5 September , 2004 Share Posted 5 September , 2004 Andrew, Not really so strange as you might think. On 16th July 51st Division detrained at Nogent sur Marne in the southern districts of Paris to go on by lorry to Epernay where they along with 15th, 34th and 62nd Division had been formed into XXII Corps attached to the French following a request by Foch on the 13th July. It is possible Pte Connors was either injured or became ill and was evacuated via the French medical services from the route between Nogent and Eperney. Strange though it may seem, I am at present looking at the Slateford War Memorial on which he is named. I'll let you know if I find any info. Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmsk212 Posted 5 September , 2004 Share Posted 5 September , 2004 Hi SDGW have him listed as "died" rather than died of wounds or killed in action. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 5 September , 2004 Share Posted 5 September , 2004 I thought he would have somehow. I have emailed for more info and will let you know. Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 6 September , 2004 Share Posted 6 September , 2004 Andrew, Not really so strange as you might think. On 16th July 51st Division detrained at Nogent sur Marne in the southern districts of Paris to go on by lorry to Epernay where they along with 15th, 34th and 62nd Division had been formed into XXII Corps attached to the French following a request by Foch on the 13th July. It is possible Pte Connors was either injured or became ill and was evacuated via the French medical services from the route between Nogent and Eperney. Strange though it may seem, I am at present looking at the Slateford War Memorial on which he is named. I'll let you know if I find any info. Aye Malcolm 51st Division detrained at Nogent sur Seine not Nogent sur Marne as I gave above.. Nogent sur Seine is 11 miles from Provins and this was probably the nearest Hospital. Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownag Posted 6 September , 2004 Share Posted 6 September , 2004 Strange though it may seem, I am at present looking at the Slateford War Memorial on which he is named. Malcolm Is the Slateford Memorial in a park? I remember seeing a memorial from a train window when it was coming in from the West just before Slateford station. Cheers Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 7 September , 2004 Share Posted 7 September , 2004 Adam, The Slateford Memorial is in Redhall Park, Slateford, Edinburgh and will be visible from the trains on the Carlisle line but not the Glasgow line. Private Connor is listed as from Redhall. I have also to check the Memorial plaques at the Slateford Churches. Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownag Posted 8 September , 2004 Share Posted 8 September , 2004 visible from the trains on the Carlisle line but not the Glasgow line. Malcolm It was only the one time I saw it. My train had been diverted through deepest Lanrkshire and was running about half an hour late so it was some small silver lining on a very large cloud to see part of the city I hadn't seen before. Thanks for the confirmation about the Memorial. Cheers Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 10 September , 2004 Share Posted 10 September , 2004 Andrew and Adam, Here is the Slateford Memorial. It has seen better days. William Connors appears on it as does his brother Francis. Some vandals have broken up the wreaths. Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Marshall Posted 16 September , 2004 Author Share Posted 16 September , 2004 Dear Malcolm and Adam Thank you both for your input, this has indeed answered my question and as you quite rightly point out Malcolm this is not so unusual as it at first appeared to me. A friend of mine visited this area recently and noticed this solitary grave amongst the French and thought that it was odd, I'll ask him is he took a photograph and maybe I can get a copy to Malcolm. Sorry for the delay in my reply but I've had some braodband problems due to movin but I am now back on track. Regards Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 16 September , 2004 Share Posted 16 September , 2004 A photo of the grave would be brilliant. I haven't got any more info yet. Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mrwiigatgigg Posted 17 February , 2015 Share Posted 17 February , 2015 We visited the grave of Pte W Connor today to place some heathers on it, having spotted it a couple of years ago on a previous holiday. We too were puzzled by his presence in the French Military part of the cemetery. I took some photos which I will post when I get home. This thread seems to clarify how he arrived there. According to the War Graves Commission website, his body was moved to this cemetery in 1928 as part of the concentration process, so that it could be properly looked after and respected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lang Posted 18 February , 2015 Share Posted 18 February , 2015 The Slateford War Memorial can be seen on The Scottish War Memorials Project website: http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/warmemscot-ftopic732.html An excerpt (ex CWGC ?) from the website shows: CONNOR, WILLIAMInitials: WNationality: United KingdomRank: PrivateRegiment: Argyll and Sutherland HighlandersUnit Text: 1st/7th Bn.Age: 25Date of Death: 18/07/1918Service No: 350975Additional information: Son of M. A. Connor, of Redhall, Slateford, Edinburgh.Casualty Type: Commonwealth War DeadGrave/Memorial Reference: 44. Bis.Cemetery: PROVINS (HAUTE-VILLE) COMMUNAL CEMETERY Kindest Regards, Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamina Posted 26 August , 2020 Share Posted 26 August , 2020 Hi All, I’m a french Piper and, don’t ask me why, but yesterday, as I was visiting the medieval town of Provins, someone in a shop started to play (CD) Scotland the Brave. This is really unusual in France. I smiled as I thought it was by chance. Then, going back to my car, I suddenly was attracted by the French WW1 cemetery. I was persuaded that I would find an information. I went there and, between a small hundred of tombs, reading the names one by one, I found W Connor’s. I wanted to know more about this soldier and I found your website. I know a little bit more about W Connor now. I will play Amazing Grace for him in the cemetery, in front of his tomb as soon as possible, wearing the kilt, in honour to his engagement during WW1. Sorry for my very bad English. Aye. Nathalie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamina Posted 27 August , 2020 Share Posted 27 August , 2020 Hi All, W Connor could have died because of Spanish flew ? Aye Nathalie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERITAGE PLUS Posted 27 August , 2020 Share Posted 27 August , 2020 CWGC entry attachments shows that this was a re-burial from the Old Communal Cemetery into the Military plot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 27 August , 2020 Share Posted 27 August , 2020 2 hours ago, Pamina said: Hi All, W Connor could have died because of Spanish flew ? Aye Nathalie I think that is certainly possible Nathalie, although many cases of Spanish Flu in that period were apparently benign according to French records, there were also some deaths: ”This epidemic wave of the Spring of 1918 was benign, affecting many soldiers but causing few deaths. In the French army, 24 886 flu patients were recorded in May with 7 deaths, 12 304 in June with 24 deaths, and 2369 patients in July with 6 deaths, all of whom were diagnosed with 'grippe'.” See: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5779284/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clk Posted 27 August , 2020 Share Posted 27 August , 2020 (edited) Hi Nathalie, William joined the army on 28th October 1915 when he was 22 years old. At that time he was a pig feeder who was living in Redhall, Slateford, Edinburgh, in Scotland. He named his mother (Mary Agnes Connor) as being his next of kin. He was about 166cm tall. Initially he served in the United Kingdom with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Highlanders (also known as the Black Watch). On 11th March 1916 he was transferred to the 9th Battalion Black Watch to serve in France. On 7th May 1916 he fell ill suffering from Hydrocele, and returned to the UK on 8th June 1916. Once he had recovered he was transferred to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on 1st March 1917, and posted to the 1/7th Battalion on 21st April 1918 for service back in front line. On 16th/17th July 1918 he was injured - "Right foot & head injured (severe)". Image sourced from Findmypast Circumstances of Injuries.pdf His father was called William, and he had brothers (James; John; Francis; Joseph; Robert and Patrick), and sisters (Mary; Jane and Annie). Regards Chris Edited 27 August , 2020 by clk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 27 August , 2020 Share Posted 27 August , 2020 (edited) Brilliant work Chris! Every day my deep admiration for this forum’s regular detectives increases. Private Connor’s death from a road accident is so typical of the fickle fates of fortune in a war of such dimensions. Edited 27 August , 2020 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lang Posted 27 August , 2020 Share Posted 27 August , 2020 1 hour ago, clk said: Hi Nathalie, William joined the army on 28th October 1915 when he was 22 years old. At that time he was a pig feeder who was living in Redhall, Slateford, Edinburgh, in Scotland. He named his mother (Mary Agnes Connor) as being his next of kin. He was about 166cm tall. Initially he served in the United Kingdom with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Highlanders (also known as the Black Watch). On 11th March 1916 he was transferred to the 9th Battalion Black Watch to serve in France. On 7th May 1916 he fell ill suffering from Hydrocele, and returned to the UK on 8th June 1916. Once he had recovered he was transferred to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on 1st March 1917, and posted to the 1/7th Battalion on 21st April 1918 for service back in front line. On 16th/17th July 1918 he was injured - "Right foot & head injured (severe)". Image sourced from Findmypast Circumstances of Injuries.pdf 2.77 MB · 4 downloads His father was called William, and he had brothers (James; John; Francis; Joseph; Robert and Patrick), and sisters (Mary; Jane and Annie). Regards Chris Chris, Please allow me to correct you. The correct name is Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). I always try to correctly address this fine Regiment. Kindest Regards, Tom. https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/black-watch-royal-highlanders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lang Posted 27 August , 2020 Share Posted 27 August , 2020 On 26/08/2020 at 07:15, Pamina said: Hi All, I’m a french Piper and, don’t ask me why, but yesterday, as I was visiting the medieval town of Provins, someone in a shop started to play (CD) Scotland the Brave. This is really unusual in France. I smiled as I thought it was by chance. Then, going back to my car, I suddenly was attracted by the French WW1 cemetery. I was persuaded that I would find an information. I went there and, between a small hundred of tombs, reading the names one by one, I found W Connor’s. I wanted to know more about this soldier and I found your website. I know a little bit more about W Connor now. I will play Amazing Grace for him in the cemetery, in front of his tomb as soon as possible, wearing the kilt, in honour to his engagement during WW1. Sorry for my very bad English. Aye. Nathalie. Welcome Nathalie, and thank you for your photos. Kindest Regards, Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamina Posted 30 August , 2020 Share Posted 30 August , 2020 On 27/08/2020 at 16:09, Tom Lang said: Welcome Nathalie, and thank you for your photos. Kindest Regards, Tom. Aye All, Thanks a lot for your answers, details... I know a little more about W Connor now. I’ll send you a pic when I will play the bagpipes for him. I guess you know about it, but there is a very interesting WW1 museum not far from Provins. https://www.museedelagrandeguerre.eu/ Brgds Nathalie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lang Posted 30 August , 2020 Share Posted 30 August , 2020 7 hours ago, Pamina said: Aye All, Thanks a lot for your answers, details... I know a little more about W Connor now. I’ll send you a pic when I will play the bagpipes for him. I guess you know about it, but there is a very interesting WW1 museum not far from Provins. https://www.museedelagrandeguerre.eu/ Brgds Nathalie Nathalie, The Museum link is to a really great Museum - and all thinks to Jean-Pierre Verney. Thanks for adding to my knowledge. Kindest Regards, Tom Lang. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lang Posted 30 August , 2020 Share Posted 30 August , 2020 (edited) The WD of the 7th Argylls for the date July 13 to 20, 1918 (2 pages), are attached. On July 16, the Diary shows that they were travelling by train and received orders to detrain at NOGENT and notes (last sentence): "... One man severely injured by accident during journey - died two days later". He is not mentioned on the 18th. I assume that William Connor is that man. Kindest Regards, Tom. Edited 30 August , 2020 by Tom Lang Add text Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lang Posted 30 August , 2020 Share Posted 30 August , 2020 With the help of http://www.tmapper.com/: Here is a map snippet of NOGENT... Kindest Regards, Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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