Photo : Illustrated Chronicle 31/03/1915
Medal Index Card
Drawing of the Ypres Salient
Edward Conroy was born on the 7th October 1867, at Morpeth, to Joseph Gilroy (aka Conroy) and Mary Ann Allen, (daughter of Robert Allen), one of seven children. James, Robert, Peter, Annie and William. They were married on the 19th May 1862 at Earsdon at St Albans Church.
Edward's parents were married as a Joseph Gilroy and Mary Ann Allen at St Alban's Church, in Earsdon on the 19th May 1862. Joseph's Father was recorded as James Gilroy and her Father as Robert Allen. However, in the census they are referred to by their real name of Conroy. My Great x 2 Grandfather, who was married to Elizabeth Conroy nee Fitzpatrick, also was known to some people apparently as Gilroy. I found this out in a newspaper article relating to a court case, in which it was stated in print that some people knew him as Gilroy even though his real name was Conroy.
Edward's paternal Grandparents were James and Mary Conroy. Edward's Aunt Ann Conroy (although Roman Catholic) was baptized at Holy Cross Church in Chatton on 18 February 1834. The entry records that her parents were James and Mary Conroy and that he was a 'Travelling Besom Maker' from 'Lock Gilley, Ireland'. My research indicates that this is actually Loughgilley in Ireland. I believe that at one point my family were Irish Travellers. My own Great x 2 Grandfather James is recorded as having been a basket maker, a besom maker, a hawker of earthernware and finally a hawker of jewellery. In the articles mentioned above, my Great x 2 Grandfather was described in a newspaper as being part of the 'mugger tribe'. This refers to travellers who started by selling baskets and besoms and when they had enough money to buy a horse and cart they would buy faulty earthenware to hawk around.
Edward's maternal Grandparents were Robert Allen and Elenor Allen. Edward's Grandmother Mary Ann's siblings were Peter, Elenor, Thomas, Jane, Sarah, John and Robert.
Edward married Margaret Gallagher, (daughter of John Gallagher), on the 24th August 1889 at St Robert's Roman Catholic Church in Morpeth. They had four children, Mary Ann, born 12th January 1897, baptised 31st January 1897 at St Robert's R.C. Church; Margaret Theresa, born 16th January 1900, baptised on the 28th March 1900, at St Robert's R.C. Church; their Godparents were James Conroy and Bridget Gilboy, Joseph Conroy, born 3rd July 1905, baptised on the 6th July 1905 at St Robert's R.C. Church, his Godparent was Sarah O'Hare.
Joseph in 1939 was residing at 2 Edith Street, Mary Street, Widdrington Station, Morpeth, married to Amelia L, Conroy, born 25th January 1912, they had seven? children, Peter, born 18th August 1928, Margaret A, born 13th August 1930, John Conroy, 7th September 1932, Joseph Conroy, 8th June 1934, Noreen M, (Gillon), born 17th December 1935, James R. born 6th June 1938, and one other unidentified, Ellen, born 3rd January 1908, baptised on the 11th January 1908 at St Robert's R.C. Church. Her Godparent was Ellen Rooney.
Edward enlisted in August 1914, and was in the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers with the rank of private and the service number of 4826. He was sent to France on the 26th January 1915.
1st Battalion in August 1914, were in Portsmouth. Part of 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. They landed at Le Havre on the 14th August 1914. The brigade was attached to 28th Division between the 17th February and the 2nd April 1915.
He was in a draft of men who arrived in January which included 4 officers and 235 men to make up losses due to casualties and sickness.
After two further tours in the line the battalion was withdrawn into the reserve at Locre. On the 17th February the battalion marched at 1.30 pm to Ypres, via Dickebusch, where it was quartered in the Cavalry Barracks.
The battalion (part of the 28th Division), were to occupy the line astride the Ypres Canal and relieve the French 31st Division, on the southern portion of the Salient.
The 1st Battalion were billeted in the Chateau Rosendal, (this was the residence of Cavaliere Ginistrelli, who was the owner of the 1908 Derby Winner, Signorinetta). Later in the war, after the Chateau had been reduced to ruins, the dug-outs were marked as Bedford House, which marked the site on the Trench Maps.
Research : Angela Conroy/James Pasby
"By the Green of the Spring" A tribute to the men of Chevington and Broomhill who served in the First World War; J.H. Hardy; 2004; Amble Social History Group.
Edward Conroy is remembered in Morpeth on M17.01, in Chevington on C27.01 and C27.02 , in East Chevington on E7.01 and in Alnwick in A11.43 page 37.
