Acting/Sergeant Edward John Campbell McConville.

6741 7th East Lancashire Regiment.

Killed in Action 5th July 1916, aged 34.

Edward was born about 1882 in Kilkenny, Ireland the son of Michael and Martha McConville. The family  must have come across to England in the 1890’s as I cannot find any trace of them before this.

In the 1901 census they were living at 54 Healeywood Road, Burnley. Michael 53 and worked on the newspapers, Martha 45, Mary 22 weaver, Lesselle 20 weaver, Edward 18 weaver, Hugh 16 mineral water bottler, Martha 14 nursery nurse and Arthur 6.

Still at Healeywood Rd in the 1911 census, Michael 62 journalist, reporter, Martha 55, Mary 32, Edward 29 (army reservist), Hugh 26, Martha 24 and Arthur 16. His parents had been married 33 years with 7 children with 6 surviving.

Edward married Annie Hodgson in the June quarter of 1911 in Burnley.

Edward being an army reservist would have been mobilised at the outbreak of the war and could have been one of the first troops to go over to France.

Lived at 54 Healeywood Road.

Edward left his effects to his widow Annie.

Edward was buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery, France: Grave Ref; VI.I.5