CONLAN, Percy
| Service Number: | 4284 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 June 1916, Charleville, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 48th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Windorah, Queensland, Australia, 7 June 1897 |
| Home Town: | Windorah, Barcoo, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Stockman |
| Died: | Misadventure - Shot in head , Cooper's Crossing, Queensland, 7 November 1922, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: |
Windorah Cemetery, Qld |
| Memorials: | Windorah Rock of Remembrance |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Jun 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4284, Charleville, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Nov 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4284, 31st Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Kyarra embarkation_ship_number: A55 public_note: '' | |
| 17 Nov 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4284, 31st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Kyarra, Brisbane | |
| 13 Oct 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 4284, 47th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, GSW (left side) | |
| 17 Dec 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
| 6 Apr 1918: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
| 25 May 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Corporal, 48th Infantry Battalion | |
| 18 Sep 1918: | Honoured Military Medal, "The Last Hundred Days", For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Le Verquier on 18 Sep 1918 | |
| 19 Sep 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Corporal, 4284, 48th Infantry Battalion, "The Last Hundred Days", 2nd occasion - GSW (right ear) | |
| 5 Apr 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Corporal, 4284, 48th Infantry Battalion |
Percy Conlan
Percy (or Joseph as he was named) was the cousin of my grandfather. When he enlisted for WW1 he was 19 years of age, his parents had passed away, and his uncle James Brennan was listed as his next of kin. Percy's final battalion was the 48th, and it was reported :
The Hindenburg “outpost line” was to the east and south of Le Vergueir .It was here that Percy, leading his platoon, showed his leadership and bravery.
“'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations near LE VERGUIER on the 18th September, 1918. During the attack on DEAN TRENCH Corporal CONLAN led his platoon and was the first to enter the trench which was strongly defended. he immediately cleared the trench and captured 10 of the enemy. he then re-organised his platoon for the further assault on the final objective where he again led his platoon forward with great determination and skill and was responsible for the capture of 30 of the enemy. His work during the advance displayed an untiring energy and leadership which greatly inspired the men of his platoon.”
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919
Two years after his return to Windorah in Queensland, Percy took his own life. He is remembered with a special plaque at Windorah Cemetery where he lies buried close to his family. A solar bollard is to erected so that light will shine on Percy for all eternity. RIP Percy.
Submitted 23 May 2020 by Kay Sleith
Biography contributed by John Edwards
Son of Thomas Henry Conlan and Annie Hackett
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