Herbert Allan CONRAN

CONRAN, Herbert Allan

Service Number: 3812
Enlisted: 13 September 1915
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 18th Infantry Battalion
Born: Tabrabucca, New South Wales, Australia, 30 December 1896
Home Town: Mudgee, Mid-Western Regional, New South Wales
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Munition worker
Died: Killed In Action, France, 5 August 1916, aged 19 years
Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Memorials: Gulgong and Mudgee District Roll of Honor, Lithgow Small Arms Factory Roll of Honour, Mudgee Anglican Parish of Mudgee Great War Honour Roll, Mudgee District Fallen Soldiers Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France)
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World War 1 Service

13 Sep 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3812, 18th Infantry Battalion
20 Jan 1916: Involvement Private, 3812, 18th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: ''
20 Jan 1916: Embarked Private, 3812, 18th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Runic, Sydney

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Son of John Joseph and Ellen Conran, of Inglis St., Mudgee, New South Wales

Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks

Herbert and his brother Collin Stewart Conran from Mudgee NSW both enlisted together on the 13 September 1915. They both, before enlistment, worked at the Small Arms Factory at Lithgow. Collin was only 17 years and 10 months old at the time, Herb was one year older. They went into camp together, and sailed together from Australia. On reaching Egypt Collin was taken ill, and had to remain in hospital in Egypt for some weeks, for which time they were separated. They never met again. Herbert was transferred to the 20th Battalion and Colin was only with his unit for 3 days before he went missing in action at Pozieres 4 August 1916. Herbert was reported the next day 5 August 1916. From the Red Cross files and soldiers’ letters home (one to the boys’ father) it was reported that one of them was taking part in a raid or attack when a bullet struck a bomb or grenade he was carrying in his pocket, which exploded, killing him instantly. Though it most confusing to try and establish which brother it was as both have different dates of going missing and death dates. From the letter to the father it appears to be more likely Herb that was killed in such fashion. Neither boy's death was confirmed for nearly 12 months, until a Court of Enquiries were officially held.

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