George Conkie Military Medal WW I

GEORGE CONKIE Military Medal World War One

George Conkie was born in Ayr, Scotland on 10th March 1884 to John and Jean Conkie ( John was a Baker by trade ) On 29th August 1912 he married Joan Thorburn Borthwick at the parish church of Little Budworth, Chester. They went on to have three children George, Robert and Jean.

When war broke out George enlisted with the 1/5th Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 94371. He joined at St Anne Street, Liverpool in August 1914. On 22nd February 1915 he landed at Le Havre, France. George rose to paid Lance Corporal. He was later awarded the Military Medal which is a great honour of course.

I do not know the date the action took place or where my George won his Military Medal. Though it was in France. The story in the family was that, George and others were ordered over the top to attack a German machine gun emplacement. Through heavy fire my Grandfather reached the machine gun emplacement and killed two Germans and captured others. The odd thing was, he was on his own and was surprised that his chums had hesitated because of heavy gun fire. This may be only a family tale embellished over the years. Who knows ?

His son Robert served during WW2 with The King's Liverpool Regiment and The Royal Air Force. Sadly he lost his life in service in 1940.

George became a horse jockey ( he was only 5 ft 4in's tall ). Later he became Head Stable Lad for Lord Wavertree. He was part of the team that took the horse " All White " to the 1921 Grand National at Aintree Racecourse, where the horses finished 3rd in the race. Grandfather was one of five of Lord Wavertree's staff who received from Lord Wavertree a signed print from an oil painting of Lord Wavertree on horse called " Buttercup ". Only the five prints were ever made.


1/5th Battalion Kings Regiment ( Liverpool )

Known Movements of George Conkie MM


August 1914 : in St Anne St, Liverpool. Part of Liverpool Brigade, West Lancashire Division.

22 February 1915 : landed at Le Havre and transferred to 6th Brigade, 2nd Division.

15 December 1915 : transferred to 99th Brigade in same Division.

7 January 1916 : transferred to 165th Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division.

My grand father was in the Kings (L,pool Irish 1st 8th) in WW1 he also won a MM.The action was on the 25 OCT 1917.He and two others (both called Smith I think) saved a Lieutenant/Captain who had been shot and lost his legs.It seems he was a member of the family that owned Lewis's.My grand dad also got a field promotion to Lance Corporal.

Thanks GNASHER for reading my post about my wifes grandad.

Appreciated, and the information you gave about your grandad.

Hey, Marty1

Thanks for reading my post.

David.