Private John McConville.
10028 1st Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.
Killed in Action 23rd October 1916, aged 29.
(John’s father John Snr was killed in action 1914 & his brother Arthur was drowned in 1915.)
John was born in the June quarter of 1888 in Burnley. The son of John McConville and Hannah Hartley. The family were living at 14 Butler St by the time of the 1891 census. John 41, Annie 38, Arthur 15 twister, Edward 13 twister, Margaret 11, Agnes Mary 9, Caroline 7, Thomas 5, John 3 and Ellen 1. All living in 2 rooms.
In the 1901 census John was a farm servant(horseman) aged 13 for a Mr. Harry Simpson, Raws farm Brierfield, Lancs.
John was serving in India at the time of the 199 census.
A career soldier he enlisted about 1908 and went over to France in the Jan. of 1915.
From the Burnley Express dated 25th November 1916: ROYAL EDWARD VICTIMS BROTHER KILLED AFTER EIGHT YEARS IN ARMY
Official intimation has been received by the parents of Pte. John McConville, 10028, of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster’s, and who live at 8 Ardwick-street, Burnley, that this soldier was killed in action on October 23rd. he is a younger brother of Sergt. Arthur McConville who was one of the victims of the Royal Edward disaster.
John had been in the Regular Army since eight years last February, and when this war broke out he was with his regiment in India. He came over, and had had two winters at the front. He had been wounded a few times and the last occasion he went back (his third return) was only twelve weeks ago. Before enlisting, when he was about 21 years of age, Pte. J. McConville was a jinney-tenter at Bank hall Colliery.
Beside the late Sergt. A McConville (who had served in three campaigns) there are two other brothers serving, these being Harry, East Lancashire’s, now abroad, and Daniel, with the Burnley Territorials. There are also two brothers-in-law serving and many other relations.
Lived at 8 Ardwick Street.
John left his effects to his sister Annie.
John was commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France: Pier and face 5D & 12B
Photo courtesy of George Coppock, 2024