Harold Arno Connop
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harold was the eldest son of Arno Boultby Connop and Ada Connop (nee Woodford). His father was born in 1870 (birth registered J/F/M Nottingham) and his mother in 1872 (birth registered O/N/D Nottingham). Arno and Ada were marrried in 1892 (A/M/J Nottingham) and had six children: Winifred b. 1892 (J/A/S Nottingham), Gladys b. 7 February 1895 (J/F/M Nottingham), Irene b. 1897 (J/F/M Nottingham), Harold b. 6 June 1899 (J/A/S Nottingham), Stanley b. abt 1906 (Kingswinford Staffordshire) and Leslie Ronald b. 25 October 1910 (O/N/D Nottingham).In 1901 Arno, a contractor's manager, and Ada with their four children, Winifred (8), Gladys (6), Irene (4) and Harold (1), were living at 51 Albany Road, Basford.By 1911 the family was living at 33 Westwood Road, Nottingham. Arno was now a school teacher (Nottingham Education Committee), presumably at St Mary's Elementary School. He and Ada now had six children: Winifred ( (17) a lace pattern girl, Gladys (15) a lace jennier, Irene (14), Harold (11), Stanley (5) and Leslie (5 months).At the time of Harold's death in 1918 Arno and Ada were living at 20 Stewart Place, Nottingham. This was still the family home when Arno died on 15 November 1929. Ada died on 22 June 1938 (death registered June Nottingham) at the age of 65.Of Harold's siblings:Winifred married Frederick Norman in 1914 (marriage registered J/F/M Nottingham). They may have emigrated to Canada after the war.Gladys married George Tabberer on 24 July 1915 at St Luke's church (marriage registered J/A/S Nottingham) and their son, George, was born on 30 December 1916. They lived at 5 Stewart Place, Alfred Street. Her husband had enlisted on 19 January 1915 in the North Midland Cycle Company, later transferring to the Royal Engineers (Pioneer, later Sapper 357412). He served in France from August 1917 and was demobilized on 23 April 1919. Gladys died in May 1977 (June Nottingham) aged 82; her husband predeceased her (11 March 1971).Irene married in 1918 (marriage registered O/N/D Nottingham; name on record corrupt, probably 'Chambers') and died on 4 June 1963 (June Nottingham) aged 66.Stanley has not been traced after the 1911 Census.Leslie Ronald joined the Royal Navy on 7 May 1929, 'trade/occupation - scholar', but was invalided out on 20 November 1929. It is probable that he married Zara G Backhouse in 1947 (O/N/D Petersfield Hampshire) and died in 1987 (February Nottingham) aged 76. The Probate record shows that he was living at 54 Waterloo Road, Beeston, at the time of his death.
He was killed in action'and was buried in Dunkirk Town Cemetery (grave ref. IV.A.11). Personal inscription on headstone: 'Labor Honor Quies'.The circumstances of his death are not known but he may have died in a flying accident.
Personal inscription on CWGC headstone: 'Labor Honor Qutes'Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour (Killed), 2 April 1918: ‘Flight Sub-Lieut. HA Connop. Regimental-Quartermaster Sergeant, Northumberland Fusiliers, of Stewart-place, Nottingham, has received a telegraphic intimation from the Admiralty that his eldest son, Flight Sub-Lieut. HA Connop, RNAS, has been killed in action. The young officer, who was only 18 years of age, was educated at the Nottingham High School, where he had a distinguished career, being captain of the school last year. He was elected first scholar of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, 15 months ago. Lieut. Connop was a fine all-round athlete, and won the High School Sports Challenge Cup last summer. He joined the RNAS on August 5th last.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Corpus Christi College Roll of Honour 1914-1918: 'CONNOP, Harold Arno (CCC Classics Scholar-elect 1917. Educated Nottingham High School. Military Service WWI (service commenced 1 August 1917. Flight Sub-lieutenant [according to Biographical Register]; Flight Lieutenant [according to War Service], Royal Naval Air Service. France, 1918. Died on 31 March 1918, from injuries received in aerial action (aged 18).' (www.ccc.ox.ac.uk/Roll-of-Honour-1914-1918)His father, Arno Connop, was a teacher at St Mary's school, enlisting in the Northumberland Fusiliers in September 1914 (School Log, Notts Archives SL 125/58/4). He is mentioned in St Mary's 54th annual report 1918/1919 as being 'on active service'. His son's death is recorded in the same report although Harold is not commemorated on the St Mary's parish memorial.Probate: Connop Arno Boultby of 20 Stewart-place Nottingham died 15 November 1929 at the Nottingham General Hospital Nottingham Probate Nottingham 20 December to Ada Connop widow. Effects £240 7s. 6d.
