William Conduit
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- Military History
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Lorenzo William Conduit, later known as William Conduit, was born in 1854 (A/M/J Nottingham) the son of Lorenzo William Conduit (b. 1831 Nottingham), a lace designer, and Mary Conduit nee Emery. William and Mary were married in 1850 (J/A/S Radford) and they had at least nine children: Lorenzo William, Arthur, Albert, Emily, Henry, Annie, Charles, Kate and James. In 1871 William's parents were living in Nottingham (address illegible on census) with their eight children Lorenzo [William] (16), Arthur (15), Albert (11), Emily (9), Henry (9), Annie (5), Charles (3) and Kate [Catherine] (1). Another son, James, was born a year or so later. By 1881 the family was living at 21 Waterloo Promenade, although only five of the children were still at home, and by 1891 when William and Mary were at 9 Radford Boulevard, Nottingham, only Kate and James were living with their parents. William senior died aged 61 later that same year (1891 O/N/D Nottingham) and Mary probably died in December 1898. William had joined the Army in 1876 and on his discharge to the Reserve in January 1884 gave his intended place of residence as 15 Birkin Avenue, Bentinck Road, Nottingham. Four years later on 28 January 1888 when he got his final discharge he gave his place of residence as 150 Arkwright street, Meadows, Nottingham. He followed the trade of painter and decorator after leaving the Army. However, in 1891, three years after his transfer to the Army Reserve, William (36) was living at 1 Taylor's Court, Salford, Manchester. At the same address was Lydia Conduit (32, b. Ireland) who was described as his wife although the only likely record of their marriage is that of a Lorenzo William Conduit to Lydia Simpkins in 1900 (marriage registered Chorlton, Lancashire). William and Lydia were still living in Manchester in 1901 but were now at 7 Bond Street. However, by 1911 they had moved to 37 Tyne Street, off Beck Street, Nottingham; William was still working as a painter and decorator and Lydia was a lace hand. The census gives the information that they had been married for 12 years. At the time of William's death they were living at 13 Cherry Street, Coalpit Lane, Nottingham. After William's death Lydia received a weekly pension of 13/9d with effect from 5 June 1918. She never remarried and died in 1932 (September Nottingham) at the age of 74.
Lorenzo William Conduit originally enlisted in 1876 on a 12 year engagement (8 years with the Colours, 4 years in Reserve) and served in Egypt at Tel el Kebir, qualifying for a medal for the Egyptian Campaign and also for the Khedives Star. He later served in South Africa as a driver (2249) in the Royal Horse Artillery. He transferred to the Army Reserve on 29 January 1884 on completion of eight years service; he was 29 years old. After four years in the Reserve he was discharged on 28 January 1888. William attested in the 7th (Robin Hood) Sherwood Foresters on 7 December 1914 (118 Private). He gave his age as 54 although he would then have been around 60 years old. He was placed in the Supernumerary Company of the Robin Hood Rifles but transferred to 161 Protection Company Royal Defence Corps on 29 April 1916. He served at home throughout the war and was discharged on 1 May 1917 as no longer physically fit for service, his age then being given as 56. Nottingham General Cemetery, Screen Wall 03302.
In memoriam published 29th May 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “CONDUIT. – In loving remembrance of Lorenzo William Conduit, 13 Cherry-street, R.D.C., late Driver, R.H.A., who passed away 29th May, 1918. – From his sorrowing wife.” Probate: Conduit Mary of 80 Park-street Grimsby Lincolnshire widow died 23 December 1898 Probate London 13 January to Kate Harrington (wife of Frank Harrington) Effects £295 14s 3d. Note: Marriage index Catherine Conduit to Francis Thomas Harrington 1894 (J/F/M Nottingham). In Memoriam is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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