Connolly, Mark Francis

No.123 – Sergeant Mark Francis Connolly – 44^th Battalion AIF

Mark Francis Connolly was born in Riley’s Hill Richmond River NSW in 1894 to John & Bridget Connolly. He was actually a twin, his brother being Richard Patrick Connolly. There were also two older brothers, James and Thomas Connolly. The family moved across to Western Australia shortly after the twins birth and set up residence in North Fremantle, residing on Perth Road (Stirling Hwy) North Fremantle. Mark was educated at St Patrick’s school in Fremantle and after leaving took up work as a Baker. He also served in the 86^th Infantry unit.

When war was declared in August 1914, the Connolly family certainly did their part. Mark’s uncle also called Mark, enlisted in August 1914 and served with the 3^rd Field Company Engineers at Gallipoli, being killed in July 1915.

The first of Mark’s brothers to enlist was James Patrick Connolly who served as a Gunner in the Artillery. Mark’s twin Richard enlisted in June 1915 and was sent to the 28^th Battalion while Thomas enlisted in July 1915 and served with the 16^th Battalion. Mark was the last of the brothers to enlist. He went to the Perth recruitment office in December 1915 and offered his services to the AIF. He was accepted as fit with the medical examiner finding Mark to be 5 feet 3 ¼ inches in height; weight of 132 lbs; chest measurement of 34-36 inches; fresh complexion; grey eyes and dark brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic.

Initially allotted to No.43 Depot, Mark was soon sent to form part of “A” Company of the 44^th Battalion AIF at Claremont Showgrounds. The 44^th Battalion trained in WA mainly at Claremont Camp until the end of May 1916 when they were told to prepare for departure. They finally made their way on the short journey to Fremantle and embarked on the H.M.A.T. “Suevic” on the 6^th June 1916, bound for England. On the journey across Mark was in trouble for going absent without leave when the ship reached Colombo. After he returned he was punished by being given no leave while they were in port and was given fatigue and guard duty for the remainder of the voyage to England. On the 12^th July he was in trouble again for leaving the guard room without permission and taking equipment without permission, for which he was given one days detention.

The ship finally berthed at Plymouth England on the 21^st July 1916 and the men were marched into the 3^rd Division Camp on the Salisbury Plains. For the next five months the 3^rd Division trained in England. On the 13^th November Mark was admitted to hospital sick though had returned by the 24^th November. This was fortunate as the 44^th Battalion embarked from England on the 25^th November 1916. After reaching France the 44^th Battalion spent their first few months of trench warfare in the vicinity of Armentieres. On the 28^th February Mark was in trouble for leaving his billet after 9pm without permission and was subsequently given a day of Field Punishment No.1.

The 44^th Battalion soon moved up to Belgium where they garrisoned the Ploegsteert sector. They would be here for the next few months and conducted trench raids during this period while they prepared for the Battle of Messines. The assault at Messines occurred on June 7^th 1917 and most objectives were taken though the 44^th Battalion was badly hit by short shooting British shellfire and lost heavily. Mark survived this action and on the 24^th June was promoted to Corporal. Mark survived the next few months as the 44^th manned the trenches at Messines and Warneton.

In September/October 1917 the 44^th Battalion was heavily involved in the assaults during the Third Battle of Ypres, with their main role on October 4^th and 12^th 1917. Casualties were again heavy though Mark survived and had been promoted to Temporary Sergeant. On the 17^th October he was sent to hospital at Camiers with exhaustion and general debility, and as he had been evacuated reverted to the rank of Corporal. On the 30^th October 1917 Mark was sent to England where he was admitted to Exeter War Hospital. His stay here would be through to December, and slowly he recovered.

On the 9^th December 1917 Mark was sent to No.3 Convalescent Depot at Hurdcott Camp, where he was still classed as unfit to go back to the Western Front. On the 2^nd January 1918 Mark went absent without leave from Hurdcott and hadn’t reappeared by the end of the month. A Court of Inquiry was held and declared Mark to be an illegal absentee. Mark had been through some sever battles in 1917 and one can only surmise his feelings at this time. He had actually gone to Galway in Ireland to stay with relatives. He had reported sick to Galway Military Hospital on the 19^th February where he was found to still be suffering from his front line service as he was diagnosed with trench foot. On the 25^th February he was discharged from Galway hospital and had been ordered to report back to No.3 Convalescent Depot at Hurdcott.

On the 26^th February Mark was admitted to Redmore Barracks Hospital and his AWOL case was dismissed by the HQ at Tidworth after Mark produced the relevant medical certificates to show that he had been unfit and in hospital. Mark stayed at Hurdcott until the 1^st of May 1918. On the 2^nd May he marched into the Overseas Training Brigade and on the 15^th May left Folkestone Harbour bound for France. On the 17^th May at Rouelles he marched into the 3^rd Australian Division Base Depot for a few days and rejoined the 44^th Battalion in the field on the 20^th May 1918. The 44^th were then in the vicinity of Amiens and during Mark’s absence had helped stopped the Germans advance on the Somme front.

By the time Mark had returned the Germans had been brought to a halt and the Australians began nibbling away at the German lines making small penetrations here and there. On the 27^th June Mark was promoted to Lance Sergeant.

The next major action involving the 44^th Battalion was the capture of the French village of Hamel on the 4^th July 1918. The 4^th & 11^th Brigades would capture Hamel and the surrounding areas. The 43^rd & 44^th Battalions were tasked with the vital capture of the village and the strong Wolfsburg position. The attack was a complete success though during the battle Mark had been badly wounded with shrapnel wounds to the femur, thigh and testicles. He fought for life for two days, but on the 6^th July 1918 at the 47^th Casualty Clearing Station he died from his injuries. He was buried at Crouy-sur-Somme Cemetery Plot III.D.15 with the Reverend A. Forty officiating.

Of Mark’s brothers, James Patrick Connolly enlisted in the 11^th Battalion and served at Gallipoli, being wounded on the 25^th April 1915, later transferring to the divisional artillery and served as a Gunner in the 2^nd Field Artillery Brigade. He was also mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s despatches for bravery and returned home at the end of 1918.

Richard Connolly, who was Mark’s twin, served in the 28^th Battalion through France, being wounded at Pozieres in July 1916 and Passchendaele in October 1917. He returned to Australia in 1919.

Thomas Connolly served with the 16^th Battalion AIF, 48^TH Battalion AIF and in March 1916 transferred to the 6^th Depot Unit of Supply, part of the Australian Army Service Corps. He returned home in 1919.