Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John and Ellen Concannon.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
The following information was kindly submitted to the project by M Ward in 2016: "Battalion : 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment.
Awards : M.M. (Military Medal)
Born at Whitwick, Leicestershire and lived there. Son of John and Ellen Concannon. Enlisted at Derby. Awarded the Military Medal London Gazette date 14th September 1916. Killed in action when in the attack near Bellewaarde Lake, Belgium, 31st July 1917, age 29.
Buried/Commemorated : Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Panel 39 and 41."

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Coalville Times article - Friday September 17th, 1915.

Soldier's Wedding at Whitwick.

A military wedding was solemnised at Whitwick Roman Catholic Church on Saturday by the Rev. M. J. O’Reilly. The contracting parties were Arthur Concannon, 1st Sherwood Foresters and Miss H. Perry. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a very pretty dress of voile, with wreath and veil and carried a bouquet of white sweet peas. The bridesmaids were the Misses Chrissie and Nellie Concannon, in pale blue crepe de chene, and Miss E. Perry and Miss L. Concannon in pale pink crepe de chene and the little trainbearer, Miss Mary Collin (niece of the bridegroom) wore a pretty dress of pale mauve crepe de chene and carried a basket of mauve sweet peas. The bridesmaids carried bouquets of sweet peas and roses, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr Joseph Concannon was best man. After the ceremony the happy pair left by motor for their short honeymoon, as the bridegroom is only home from ‘Somewhere in France’ on 7 days’ leave. He is to be congratulated on passing through 10 months of warfare as a bomb-thrower and his many friends will wish him a safe and speedy return home.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 20th, 1916

ANOTHER WHITWICK MILITARY MEDALIST

A well-known Whitwick man, Private A. W. Concannon, of the Notts. and Derby Regiment, has been awarded the military medal for bravery on the field. It is understood that the particular act of heroism which has won him this distinction was the saving of a wounded officer under fire, and at great risk to himself, though this was only one of several brave acts which Concannon has performed. Originally a Whitwick collier, he joined the army two or three years before war broke out, and had spent some of his time in India, where he won several distinctions as an athlete. Being a fine exponent of the “noble art” he won the 9-stone boxing championship of his Battalion, and entering the Army Boxing Tournament, he reached the semi-final, when he was defeated by Sergeant Singleton, the welter-weight champion. Great enthusiasm was created by this contest, which was considered the best in the tournament, and Concannon’s meritorious performance was recognised by a special prize as the best loser. He also brought off many events as a sprinter. He came to England on the way to France with the first Indian Expeditionary Force in October, 1914, and visited his old home in company with two of his greatest pals, the brothers Wesson, of Margaret Street, Coalville, sergeants in the same regiment, who have both since been killed in action. The three were photographed together before going to the Front. In September last year Concannon came over on leave, and was married to Miss H. Perry, who since his return to the Front, has been residing with her parents, Mr and Mrs F. Perry, of No. 2, Vicarage Street, Whitwick. Concannon will be heartily congratulated on his brave act, and the honour which has been conferred upon him.

Coalville Times article - Friday February 2nd, 1917

WHITWICK MILITARY MEDALIST

INTERESTING PRESENTATION

An interesting event took place at the Whitwick Picture House on Saturday evening, when Private A. W. Concannon, of the Sherwood Foresters, a Whitwick man who has been awarded the military medal, was presented with a handsome marble clock, subscribed for by residents of Whitwick in recognition of his gallantry.

Private Concannon was awarded the medal for rescuing an officer under heavy fire. The presentation was made by the Rev. T. W. Walters (Vicar) who said Whitwick was represented in the Forces by some hundreds of men, and Private Concannon was the first of them to win the Military Medal, though the honour of gaining one had been won by another Whitwick man, Sergeant Berrington, who, he was sorry to say, had since been killed in action. The Rev. M. J. O’Reilly also complimented Private Concannon on the honour he had achieved, and the presentation was made amidst cheers. The gallant soldier briefly responded, expressing his thanks for the gift. Private Concannon was married at the Whitwick Catholic Church, when on leave some months ago.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 10th, 1917

Local Casualties

News was received in Whitwick yesterday that Private Concannon, one of Whitwick’s four military medallists, was killed in action on July 31st, the sad information being contained in a letter from the captain of the deceased’s soldier’s regiment.
Private Concannon was married a year or so ago to Miss Perry, who still resides with her parents in Whitwick Market Place. He was the second soldier from Whitwick to win the medal, and not so long ago was publically presented with a clock by the citizens of Whitwick in the Picture House in recognition of his brave deed. The first winner of the medal was Sergeant Berrington, who was also the first to be killed in action. The death of Private Concannon makes 32 Whitwick men who have made the supreme sacrifice.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 17th, 1917

WHITWICK MILITARY MEDALLIST KILLED

Further details are to hand respecting the death of Lance-Corporal A. W. Concannon, of the Sherwood Foresters, a Whitwick Military Medallist, killed in action on July 31st. Writing to the deceased’s wife, who resides with her parents, Mr and Mrs Perry, in the Whitwick Market Place, an officer of his company states, “I am extremely sorry to tell you that your husband, Lance-Corporal Concannon, of my company, was killed in action on July 31st, 1917. I knew him for several months, and can assure you that his death is deeply felt by all who knew him. He was a very promising soldier, and if he had lived, probably would have had early promotion. He was killed instantaneously, suffering no pain. Please accept the deepest sympathy both of officers and men.”

A friend of the deceased, G. H. Phipps, also writes, sending some personal belongings of the dead soldier, and says that Arthur was killed on July 31st when the regiment were attacking at Westhock, in front of Ypres. He was shot by a sniper and died instantaneously. The writer proceeds, “Arthur earned a V.C. as big as a battleship. This is what everyone says who saw him. . . . . . We both went to Confession and Holy Communion two days before the battle. You are quite aware of what we were to each other. I have been hard hit by his death, for I could look the world over and not find a better chum. I have been fairly knocked up over it, and it makes me wild that after being out here two years and nine months, he should get knocked over at the eleventh hour. I feel it pretty hard, but then, what is my loss compared with yours? Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.”

Lance-Corporal A. W. Concannon was the second Whitwick soldier to win the Military Medal and is the second man from Whitwick holding that honour to fall on the battlefield. His brave deed was recognised by Whitwick citizens by the public presentation of a clock some months ago. The deceased had been married nearly two years, having special leave from France for the event, which took place at the Holy Cross Church, Whitwick, on September 4th, 1915.

Coalville Times article - Friday February 15th, 1918

WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED AT WHITWICK

TABLET IN HOLY CROSS CHURCH

The Bishop of Nottingham, the Rev. Father Dunn, unveiled a memorial tablet in the Whitwick Holy Cross Church, on Sunday containing the names of 12 men, formerly connected with the church, who have made the supreme sacrifice in the war. The names and dates each recorded on small square bronze plates, and fixed on the tablet in three columns, are as follows:

Private James Cairns, Connaught Rangers, killed in action, August 21st, 1915.
Private A. C. Johnstone, 8th Leicesters, killed in action, September 1st, 1915.
Sapper B. Whittaker, 2nd Leicesters, killed in action, September 25th, 1915.
Private Edward Jarvis, Grenadier Guards, killed in action, October 17th, 1915.
Private Ed Hunt, 2nd Leicesters, killed in action, January 7th, 1916.
Private C. Stanford, 8th Leicesters, killed in action, July 14th, 1916.
Private Jos. Sheffield, 2nd Leicesters, killed in action, September 26th, 1916.
Lance-Corporal B. Morley, 2nd Leicesters, killed in action, April 23rd, 1917.
Private Harold Edwin Ketcher, 12th Northumberland Fusiliers, killed in action, June 16th, 1917
Corporal A. Concannon, M.M. Sherwood Foresters, killed in action, July 31st, 1917.
Private William Beasley, 1st Leicesters, killed in action, September 11th, 1917.
Rifleman L. Haywood, Scottish Rifles, torpedoed at sea, December 30th, 1917.

The tablet, which is surmounted by a crucifix, reads, “In memory of our devoted heroes who fell in the great war. Your prayers are requested for the repose of the souls of (names)”.

At the foot appear the words, “May they rest in peace.” Space is left for the addition of any further names if this becomes necessary. There was a large congregation, including the relatives of the deceased soldiers, and after the unveiling, a memorial service was held. This was conducted by the Rev. M. J. O’Reilly, assisted by Father Degan of Coalville, and the Bishop preached the sermon.

Coalville Times article - Friday April 12th, 1918.

WHITWICK MILITARY MEDALLISTS

A Military Medal awarded to Lance-Corporal P. Hicken, a Whitwick soldier, has been forwarded by the War Office to the Vicar (the Rev. T. W. Walters) with a request that it be presented to the gallant soldier publicly when he returns from France. Pte. Hicken was expected home at the end of March, but events in France have delayed his leave.

Mrs Concannon, wife of the late Lance-Corporal Concannon, of Whitwick, recently went to Nottingham Castle, and was presented with the Military Medal awarded to her late husband. Sir John Maxwell presented the medal, with others, and expressed sympathy with the relatives of the men who had fallen.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 2nd, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In loving and honoured memory of Lance-Corporal A. W. Concannon, M.M. 1st Sherwood Foresters, who was killed in action in France, 31st July, 1917.

“I never knew what pain he had,
I never saw him die;
I only know he passed away,
Without a chance to say good-bye.

He sleeps beside his comrades
In a hallowed grave unknown,
But his name is written in words of love
In the hearts he left at home.”

From his Wife

Coalville Times article - Friday August 9th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In ever loving memory of Lance-Corporal Arthur Concannon, M.M. who was killed in action, July 31st, 1917, at Westhock.

R.I.P.

From his Wife and Brothers and Sisters.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photographs from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 09/09/2017