Sergeant Arthur McConville.
4964 1st Lancashire Fusiliers.
Drowned on the Royal Edward 13th August 1915. Aged 39.
(Arthur’s father John Snr was killed in action 1914 & his brother John Jnr was killed in action 1916)
Arthur was born in the March quarter of 1876 in Burnley. The eldest son of John McConville and Hannah Hartley, the first of ten children.
The family lived at 14 Butler St, Burnley in the 1881 census. John 29, Hannah 29, Arthur 5, Edward 3, Margarite 1, Agnes 2 and Willie 3 months, all born in Burnley. Also living with them was John’s widowed mother, Margarite 70, and sister Catherine 30 both born in Ireland.
They were still at 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.
Arthur married Edith Spencer in the March quarter of 1903 in Burnley.
In the 1911 census Arthur 35 and Edith 30 were living at 1 Cobden St Burnley. They had had 2 children but unfortunately both had died in infancy.
Arthur enlisted in the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1894, and most probably served in South Africa in the Boer War as there is no trace of him in the 1901 census. He would have been mobilised at the beginning of the war, being one of the first to go over to France.
From the Burnley News 4th September 1915: CORPORAL MCCONVILLE MISSING.
Official information has been received this week to the effect that corporal a McConville who was formerly employed by Messrs John Gray Ltd, is missing, probably drowned. Corporal McConville was an old soldier, having served his full term in the army and finished his time on the reserve. He re-enlisted in the 3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, and had been stationed at Hull. During his period in the army he's so much Active Service. He was for 7 years in India and had a medal gained in an Indian campaign. He served all through the Egyptian campaign on the Lord Kitchener, and also went through the South African war. He leaves a widow but no children.
From the Burnley news 2nd October 1915:
McConville - lost on the Royal Edward, August 13th 1915, Sgt A McConville Lancashire Fusiliers. From his sorrowing wife, 1 Cobden Street, Burnley.
"When loved twined around the heart
Experience best can tell
How very hard it is to part
And bid the Long Farewell."
Arthur lived at 1 Cobden St., Burnley.
Arthur left his effects to his widow Edith.
Arthur is commemorated at the Helles Memorial, Galipolli.
THE ROYAL EDWARD DISASTER
From the Burnley News dated 18th August 1915: THE TRANSPORT DISASTER.- CONSIDERABLE ANXIETY IN BURNLEY DISTRICT. DRAUGHT OF 70 LOCAL MEN SAID TO BE ON-BOARD. - 600 KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN SAVED OUT OF 1600 TROOPS AND CREW. - SOME NAMES OF LOCAL MEN PROBABLY ON THE TRANSPORT.
The first serious disaster to a British transport after a Lapse of more than a year of war is recorded. Up to a late hour last night only the official news was available.
The statement issued by the secretary of the Admiralty at 12:40 p.m. Yesterday was as follows:
The British transport Royal Edward was sunk by an enemy submarine in the Aegean last Saturday morning.
According to the information at present available the transport had on board 32 military officers and 1350 troops in addition to the ship’s crew of 220 officers and Men.
The troops consisted mainly of reinforcements for the 29th division and details of the RAMC.
Full information has not yet been received, but it is known that about 600 have been saved.
Considerable anxiety prevailed in Burnley last night in consequence of the disaster owing to the fear that 70 Burnley men were on board. Most of them were members of the RAMC and were enlisted by Dr Callam of Burnley, who witnessed their departure only about a fortnight ago. It is stated that on that occasion one Burnley man who was not selected offered £2 to go, and it was only on another man being rejected that he got to go. The news of the disaster spread quickly through the town and Dr Callam, who is in Burnley for a few days, was kept busy answering the enquiries of anxious relatives. A big bulk of the men are from Burnley Lane district and on their departure the greatest enthusiasts and prevailed amongst them. It is said to be possible that some of the men who sailed from England may have been left behind at Malta.
Sergeant Ernest Howarth.
Sergeant Ernest Howarth of the 2/2 East Lancs RAMC, whose wife and family of three little children live at 3 Perth Street Burnley, in a letter home under date of August 2nd, and received by his wife on Monday, says "we have had a very good voyage on the royal Edward. I am keeping up my birthday in the sergeant's mess. It is now 8:50 p.m. By the ship’s clock. We are out of sight of land and have been a good bit but we are having good weather. We have passed 9 ships today of one sort and another, including a few battleships, and had an aeroplane over us one morning. When the sun got on the scene was fine. I have got a lot to tell our closed when I get back. I think I shall be put off at Malta. We did not stop at Gibraltar. The Rock was a sight to be remembered. We passed it about 10 in the morning on Monday August 2nd. We had the Moroccan Coast on the other side and we could see a volcano and snow on the hills in land. We saw villages on the North coast of Africa, the white buildings showing up with wonderful effect in the sun. The air was as clear as crystal and the sea as blue as you see it painted in pictures, truly wonderful to see. We can feel the heat coming on. We are getting good food on board this ship. The men say it is the best they ever had, and some of them have been overseas as many as 9 times. A lot have been here before. I have just been laid on Deck with Bob and Joe, also Pat Kendall and we are all in the pink. I will let you know how we go on later. With best love. Tell clothes and Hector Daddy will be home before long so bye-bye for the present. Your loving husband, Ernest."
The previous week Sergeant Haworth centre picture postcard of the transport boat Royal Edward, to his little son Hector. "this is the picture of your daddies ship, so bye-bye, goodnight he wrote. On the back of another picture postcard of a large group of Burnley men in the 2/2 East Lancs RAMC who were included in the draught board the ill-fated transport, Sergeant Haworth wrote to his wife as follows call quotes just a line to say we are able to ship Royal Edward and we are sailing tonight at 8 for somewhere we have got first class compartments or cabins for sergeants, so I am alright now. Will let you know how we go on later. This is a photo of the draft we have got with us."
Sergeant Howard who was a reservist of the RAMC, volunteered for service last November he had been associated with ambulance work in Burnley about 6 years. He was employed as a Wheelwright at the Mitre Motor Works Burnley.
Private Patrick kendall.
Last Wednesday Mrs Kendall of 23 Burdett Street Burnley, received a postcard from her husband private Patrick Kendall, of the 22nd East Lancs RAMC, on which he wrote that he was on the ship Royal Edward. In a letter dated August 6th, and received by Mrs Kendall yesterday private Kendall writes: "Dear wife just a few lines to let you know that I am still "alive and kicking". I am writing this on the boat. We have had a pleasant voyage. I can't tell you much because the sensor would not let it go. I hope you got the photos.(private Kendall was he referring to a picture postcard of the Royal Edward and photos of the men on board which, we learn, where duly live received by his wife). Tell all my friends that I am in the pink and don't worry about me. I am alright. I don't think this one will last much longer."
Private Kendall who is a very well-known in Burnley, enlisted in the RAMC, (Dr Callam's contingent) 8 months ago.32 years of age, he was before the war, a weaver in the employ of the self-help Mill Company Burnley. He was formerly in the regular army and possesses two medals for service in the South African war. Private Kendall’s father resides in Hollingreave Road Burnley.
Burnley Corporals letter.
A letter was received this week by Mr Clark manager for John Graham Ltd, cotton manufacturers, from corporal McConville, who formerly worked for the firm as a twister and loomer. Corporal McConville who posted the letter from Gibraltar, dealt with the experiences of the men on board the Royal Edward. He mentioned several Burnley men of the RAMC, and instanced concerts given by a Glee party conducted by Mr H Dent of Messrs' H and J Dent, pianoforte dealers, Duke bar. Call Paul McConville was an old soldier, and had seen service in India, Egypt and South African war. He re-enlisted on the Outbreak of war in his old regiment, the Lancashire Fusiliers, and was for some time stationed at Hull.
A telegram, the sending of which may possibly be in consequence of the disaster, was sent to his home on Sunday by second lieutenant P Lancaster, son of Mr William Lancaster cotton manufacturer, Burnley. Lieutenant Lancaster wired: "quite well." he is in the 5th East Lancs, and has just arrived at Alexandria whence he travelled on the Arcadian, after leaving Peas Pottage Camp, near Crawley Sussex.
Probably other Burnley men about whom something anxiety is felt not on the transport.
in the 29th division, however, were several Lancashire soldiers, and it is believed that some of the East Lancs travelled on the ill-fated transport after leaving Peas Pottage.
Private Harry Wiseman.
Private Harry Wiseman R A M C, of 195 Barden Lane, is 20 years of age. He entered the Corp last October, when it was being formed by Dr Callam. He was formerly a weaver at Messrs Wests, Brow Head Mill.
Private Wilfred Towse.
Private Wilfred Towse are RAMC, is age 20 years. He previously worked at Messrs Halsteads Ltd, Queensgate, from which place were several other men in the ill-fated boat, on its arrival at Malta.
Other men reported to be on board are:
Private John Farrer 26, Prestwich street.
Private John Robert Whittaker 26, Laithe Street.
Private Frank Basnett 24 Emmott street.
Private Fred Wilkinson, Rose Grove, who formerly lived in the Springhill district.
Private A Wiseman, Barden Lane.
Private R Hurst, 11 Devonshire Road.
Private J Munro. Taylor Street.
Private H Brelsford (the last named for our members of the Ebenezer church).
Private Fred Richmond Daneshouse Road. A well-known rink hockey player.
Private Harrison Gannow Lane.
Padiham men said to be on board.
last night we were informed by Dr McKenzie of Padiham, that at least four Padiham men attached to the Manchester section of the RAMC, went out with Dr Callam's contingent. The names of three of the four are private Whittle, private Metcalfe, and private Fawcett. Probably there were also on board a number of men who had been trained under Dr McKenzie, and who subsequently went to Aldershot and other centres. Private Metcalfe recently wrote home and at the foot of his letter he stated he was on the royal Edward.