Francis Patrick CONNORS

Francis Patrick CONNORS Update Details

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CONNORS, Francis Patrick

Service Number:	289
Enlisted:	Not yet discovered
Last Rank:	Private
Last Unit:	5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen
Born:	Not yet discovered
Home Town:	Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Not yet discovered
Memorials:

1 Oct 1899:	Involvement Private, 289, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen
6 Mar 1901:	Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 289, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 488 notes 5th QIB embarked at Pinkenba 6 Mar 1901 aboard Templemore arriving Port Elizabeth 1 Apr 1901.
17 Sep 1901:	Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 289, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 5th QIB, Bk 2 p. 136, notes charged and found guilty of an indiscretion effecting discharge with ignomy on 17 Sep 1901. Returned to Australia aboard Gothic arriving Hobart 27 Feb 1902 then by Tambo arriving Sydney 2 Mar 1902.

Biography contributed by Claude McKelvey

When Francis Patrick Connors enlisted in 1901 in the 5th QIB and his details were published with the rank and file in The Queenslander, 16 Mar 1901, noted his N.O.K. as his mother Mrs. Connors, Paddington, Sydney, NSW. In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 5th QIB, Bk 2 p. 136, it is noted he directed part of his pay to his mother Mrs. M. A. Connors, Paddington, Sydney.

His entry in the service paybook also contains a note indicating he committed, or was involved in, an indiscretion/offence that drew the ire of his command. Though it doesn't elaborate on the actual offence it must have been considered reasonably serious resulting in him being tried, found guilty and sentenced to prison.

The note reads- "2163 O.C.- Tried by F.G.C.M. Sentenced to 2 years imprisonment with hard labour. 1 Yr + 6 months remitted- to be deprived of S A medals and to be discharged with Ignominy. 17 Sep 1901."

It is unclear if he served any time in prison, or was discharged immediately, with newspaper reports noting he returned to Australia with men from various State units aboard the Gothic arriving Hobart 27 Feb 1902, then via the Tambo arriving Sydney 2 Mar 1902.

(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 499; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 5th QIB, Bk 2 p. 136).

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