William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
George was born at Seaham Colliery in 1887 to Irish parents Alexander and Martha (nee McCraken). The couple married on July 26th 1872 at Straiton, Ayrshire.
George’s siblings included Samuel (died aged 14), Alexander, Andrew, Joseph Smith, Mary (died 1915), Robert William, Ann Jane and Thomas.
In 1891 his father was a coal miner as was his eldest son, Alexander aged 16. All the other children were at school. The family lived at 50 California Street Seaham.
By 1901 the family were growing up. George was now a stoneman at the colliery whilst Joseph was a hewer, Robert a putter, George aged 14 was a driver. They were still living at same address.
On October 2nd 1909 George married his sweetheart, Martha Jane Knox at Christ Church, New Seaham.
1911 George now had his own family around him. The couple had decided to adopt a 4 month old baby, Doris Smith. She had been born on November 15th 1910 so lost her soldier father when she was only 6 years old.
George enlisted into the army and joined the Northumberland Fusiliers.
In June 1916, the front line crossed the Bapaume road between the site of Baupaume Post cemetery and the village of La Boisselle. The attack on La Boisselle on 1 July was not successful, and several days passed before the village was taken by which time George had probably fallen.
However, it wasn’t until August 4th 1916 his widow, was been informed her husband, who had been missing since July 1st 1916, has now been officially reported killed.
The inscription on his headstone reads :-Thy will be done
Martha's first pension payment was 24th January 1917 for 15 shillings weekly. It seemed to take until March 5th 1924 that a decision was taken relating to a pension for George’s widow and child. The amount allocated was at a weekly rate of £1.6s.8d with a child’s allowance of 10 shillings.
Medals: British War Medal and Victory Medal
The Sunderland Echo 01/07/1918 reports
CONN. In loving memory of our dear son George killed in action in France, July 1st 1916. Ever remembered by his loving father mother Alexander and Martha Conn
CONN. —ln loving memory dear husband George Conn, killed action in France, July 1st 1916. Ever remembered his loving wife and daughter Martha and Doris Conn. 1, Gregson Terrace New Seaham.
George Conn is remembered at Dawdon on D41.06 and at Seaham on S117.04 and S117.33
