Bombadier JOHN CONNELL

John Connell born in Mallow, Cork.
Early service records on 18 March 1898, show that John Connell joined The RGA Militia Cork District at the age of 17 years, his occupation reveals that he was a shoemaker.

Age on re-enlistment 23 years and 3 months while living at 27 Dublin Street, Cork
Next of Kin father: John at No 4 Jameson Street, Cork, Mother: Kate at No 4 Jameson Street, Cork

Height 5ft 93/4, weight 154-162lbs
Eyes: grey
Complexion: fresh
Hair brown: tattoos on right forearm
Decay of teeth, willing to pay for dentures.
Enlisted on 7/2/1905
Early service records show:
Embarked at Albert Docks for South Africa on 23/2/1900. Disembarked at East London on 23/3/1900. Campaigns in South Africa 1899 to 1902.
Awarded South Africa. King & Queens’ Medal. Transvaal Free State Clasp, King & Queens’ Medal
Served in India from February 1906 until 17/1/1912.
Education and Instruction 3rd Class 20/11/1909 to18/10/1911 in Karachi.
Letter dated 29/4/1909 about issues of pay for gunner John Connell at No 7 mountain battery RGA while serving in India.
Records show disciplinary issues because 24/2/1906 he was drunk while leaving barracks and improperly dressed awarded 3 days CB. 0n defaulters sheet 25/7/1907 for being drunk on field mountain parade awarded 14 days CB. January 1912. Absent from sick parade and found in barracks at 9.50am, awarded 10 days CB. 12/1/1913 He was improperly dressed in a Public House and using obscene language, given 7 days CB. 13/1/1903 improperly dressed on parade, stating a falsehood, and deficiency in a piece of equipment awarded 10 days CB

John Connell had medical issues: dental problems in 1905-6, he was known to have bad teeth and was willing to pay for dentures. A sprained ankle on 11/12/1907 to 10/1/1908, malaria in November 1908. 0n 11/5/1905 to 262/6/1911 he was admitted to hospital with neuritis possibly due to C2H60. Readmitted 28/6/1911 to 5/9/1911 same as above. On discharge ,he indulged very frequently on alcohol. While in hospital, he was found to be getting beer from canteen, surreptitiously.
Transferred to Army Reserve 6/2/1914 at Weymouth on the expiration of his period of army services to 14 0ld Market Place, Cork Ireland at the age of 32.

A letter from a 70 year old boot repairer, Mr. Hanrahan of 13 Gt Ann Street, St Jude’s, Bristol, claiming compensation of £1 from the army because Mr. Connell had stolen several pairs of second hand boots. Connell had told Mr. Hanrahan that he was ‘very hard up and shown him his papers. Mr. Hanrahan had ‘seen him all right for food and lodgings’. Letter received at RGA Records Dover 1/7/1914. Mr. Connell was receiving an army pension at that time.

Posted to Woolwich on 8/10/1914
17/2/1914, he appears not to have given the army his current address. Connell states that he did not quite understand that he had to send his address before 1/4/1914. Comment dated 13/3/1914 states that all men are instructed that they need to inform the army of any change of address.
Awarded field Punishment for 7 days for being absent on duty on 5/1/1915

A letter dated 27/8/1915 to the National Relief Fund & Cork City Division of Soldiers & Sailors Family Association from his mother, Mrs. Kate Connell of 7 Thomas Street Cork, who has not heard from her son. 76 Coy RGA answered on 4/9/15, a letter dated 30/10/15 showed ‘no trace of any posting overseas or otherwise’
There are a number of request for documents in 1915 relating to desertion. He was declared a Deserter at a Court of Enquiry on 28/11/1915.