Patrick Conheady : Short Biography

Patrick was from Miltown, Tulla and before leaving the parish he lived with his mother, Mary, a widow and his older siblings, James, John and Delia.

His family lived on a small farm with a cow-house and piggery attached. At age 19 Patrick left Tulla for Queenstown, departed for the US and arrived on board the Carmania on 27th April 1913.  Patrick intended to stay initially with his sister, Mrs. David (Katie) Walsh who lived at 305 Spring Street, New York.  

On 5th June 1917 Patrick signed a Draft Card recording his date of birth as 20th September 1893. He was not a naturalised US Citizen. By that time he lived at 59 Vandam Street, New York City. He worked as Longshoreman at Pier 14 and 15 New York City. He was single, and was described as tall, slim with light brown hair and blue eyes. Patrick was drafted and entered service on 25th February 1918. He was enlisted as a Private with the CO A 308th Infantry and was overseas from April 1918 until 5th October 1918 where he was killed in action, aged 24. His sister, Katie Walsh of 87 Vandam Street was listed as his next-of-kin.  

It is thought that Patrick is buried in France where the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records a Patrick Conheady headstone at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, Lorraine, France. His grave memorial is recorded at Latitude 49.33420 and Longitude 5.08980 and is marked by a simple,while marble headstone. It is probable that Patrick lost his life while fighting in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive along with thousands of others buried there. This offensive is said to have been one of the largest involving American Forces, joined by troops from France and Britain where a major battle arena was focused around Verdun between September and November 1918.