Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Company Sergeant Major H. Conlan, 42nd Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada), Canadian Infantry, who died of wounds on the Western Front, 15 April 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (418126 Sjt: H. Conlan. 42/Can: Inf:) minor edge nicks, otherwise good very fine £280-£340

M.M. London Gazette 9 December 1916, the original recommendation states:

‘In operations near Courcelette, early on the 15th, Sept; he took a party of twenty men over four hundred yards of open country under heavy fire to reinforce the threatened flank of the P.P.C.L.I. in the front line. He succeeded in reaching his objective with 50 men and reported to the Officer in charge and helped bomb out a communication trench. He also assisted to round up some German prisoners and remained in the front line until relieved on September 17th.’

Henry Conlan was born in London in November 1888. He resided with his wife at 2085 St. James, Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Conlan was an original member of the 42nd Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada), Canadian Infantry from Montreal enlisting there on 25 February 1915. He embarked for France and Flanders on 9 October 1915, and advanced to Acting Company Sergeant Major on the Vimy front, 1 February 1917. Conlan was severely wounded in action at La Folie Wood in the capture of Vimy Ridge on 14 April 1917.

Company Sergeant Major Conlan died of his wounds at No. 6 Casualty Clearing Station, 15 April 1917, and is buried in Barlin Communal Cemetery France.

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