William Ewan Conway

7 June 1911 Golden Wedding of James Conway and Agnes McKenzie Fisher

8 June 1921 Diamond Wedding of James Conway and Agnes McKenzie Fisher [16 Sept 48]

Parents:

• Birth*: William Ewan Conway was born on 19 November 1893 at 12 Cleghorn Street, Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, ; 1893 births in the district of St Mary in the burgh of Dundee, ref 848; William Ewan Conway; 1893 November nineteenth 2h 0m pm 12 Cleghorn Street Dundee, male, parents William Fisher Conway dairyman and Jane Conway me Wilkie, m 1888 January 6 Dundee; W F Conway father present; 1893 December 8th at Dundee John Taylor asst registrar.¹
• He was the son of William Fisher Conway and Jane Hutchison Wilkie jute weaver.
• (Groom) Marriage*: William Ewan Conway married Adele Gertrude Aldridge, daughter of Charles Emery Aldridge storekeeper and Adele Edith Fleuret, on 23 June 1920 at Bonnethill United Free Church, Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, ; 1920 on the twenty-third day of June at Bonnethill United Free Church Dundee after publication according to the forms of the United Free Church of Scotland; W Ewan Conway colonial service clerk bachelor, 26, 20 Bank Avenue Downfield, William Fisher Conway carting contractor, Jane Hutchison Conway ms Wilkie; A G Aldrige assistant school teacher spinster, 26, 20 Bank Avenue Downfield, Charles Emery Aldridge grocers storekeeper (dec) Adele Edith Aldridge ms Fleuret (dec); A H Marshall Bonnethill UF Church, Myra Fyfe, James A Conway witnesses; 1923 June 26th at Dundee Jas Murray registrar.²
• (Deceased) Death*: William Ewan Conway died on 23 August 1979 at Dundee, Scotland, , at age 85 5.45 am
  Funeral 27/8/1979 3.30pm Dundee.^3,4

• Occupation: William was Teacher, Falkland Islands.
• Occupation*: William was HM Colonial Service Ghana - Customs Controller.
• Photograph*: William Ewan Conway and James Fisher Conway newspaper representative are in this photograph taken circa 1895 at Dundee, Angus, Scotland, .⁵
  

  William Ewan & James Fisher CONWAY taken about 1895 (calculated from apparent ages and birth dates)
• Photograph*: William Ewan Conway is in this photograph taken circa 1906.⁵
  

  William Ewan Conway c1906 (calculated from birth date and estimated age of William Ewan)
• (Witness) Photograph: He is in this photograph taken circa 1907 at Eden Grove, Downfield, Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, , along with William Fisher Conway, Jane Hutchison Wilkie jute weaver, James Fisher Conway newspaper representative.⁵
  

  William Fisher Conway, Jane Wilkie and sons William Ewan Conway (left) and James Fisher Conway (right) about 1907 (calculated from birth dates and apparent ages of William and James)
• (Witness) Event-Misc: William Ewan Conway was present when James Conway van driver and Agnes McKenzie Fisher kitchen maid were celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 7 June 1911 at Mathers Hotel, Dundee, Angus, Scotland, .⁷
  

  

  

  Mathers Hotel Dundee
• Newspaper Article*: William Ewan Conway was mentioned in a newspaper article DUNDEE HIGH SCHOOL'S ROLL OF HONOUR.
  -------------
  A LIST OF 170 FORMER PUPILS.
  A roll of honour of former pupils of Dundee High School has been compiled. It contains in all 170 names, and, while the list is not yet complete, all information which had been received up to 13th Nov. was included. The following is the list:-
  ... Falkland Island Volunteers.- William E. Conway ... on 21 November 1914.⁸
• Newspaper Article: He and William Fisher Conway were mentioned in a newspaper article DUNDEE MAN IN FALKLAND ISLANDS
  TELLS HOW THE GERMAN FLEET WAS CHASED
  AND DESTROYED BY BRITISH VESSELS.
  In the far-off Falkland Islands Dundee has at least one representative who is doing his share of the Empire's work. Mr William Conway, who is a teacher at Port Stanley, gives a vivid description of the naval activity at the Falkland Islands in letters which have been received by his father, Mr W. F. Conway, Eden Grove, Downfield.
  The Damage to the Glasgow.
  Writing under date November 19 Mr Conway, who is a member of the Falkland Islands Volunteers, says:-"We had the Good Hope in Port Stanley for a week, and she was only gone from here four or five days when she and the Monmouth went to the bottom with all hands. Sir C. Craddock was rear-admiral of this fleet, and he went down with the Good Hope. I was on transmitting signal duty when the Good Hope was here, and transmitted quite a number of messages from the Admiral to His Excellency the Governor. I made quite a number of friends with the officers of the Good Hope, and I was looking eagerly forward to renewing their acquaintance, but, alas, it is now impossible. The Glasgow called and coaled in Stanley after the big fight off the Chilean coast, and she was rather badly damaged. Several shells struck her, and she had one big hole in her. The Falkland Island Volunteers coaled her, and, of course, I was one, and you should have seen me delve in amongst that coal. She took over 600 tons that day (Sunday), and you can imagine what I looked like when we finished. I also met the officers on her, and one of them came from Barnhill, the result being that I dined with the captain and officers at every meal, although I was a black as could be. They were all jolly fine fellows, and I was sorry they only stayed one day."
  The British Fleet Sighted.
  Mr Conway's next letter is dated December 30, by which time the loss of the Good Hope and the Monmouth had been thoroughly avenged.
  "When I last wrote, "I was on duty on the examination boat, and shortly after that I was transferred to an outpost called Sapper's Hill. There I lived in a shanty with two others. I was signaller. One Monday morning early we sighted a fleet steaming towards Port Stanley, and, of course, immediately reported to H.M.S. Canopus, stationed at Stanley Harbour at that time. We sighted eight ships, and they were British. They all steamed into the entrance to Stanley Harbour, the Bristol and Glasgow coming into the harbour.
  The Germans Surprised.
  "On Tuesday very early we sighted another fleet coming from the south-west, and again reported to the Canopus. We reported that there were five cruisers and three transports, and, of course, as we had no other ships out we concluded they were Germans. Two of them were steaming ahead of the others and making straight for our wireless. Our outpost, being the highest up, saw everything, and we kept the British fleet in constant knowledge of the enemy's doings. The first two German cruisers had come up to about five miles of the wireless station when they swung broadside on, and prepared to have a pot-shot at the Marconi. But as they did that - bang! bang! - the Canopus twelve-inchers spoke, and spoke pretty hard. The two German vessels immediately steamed out, but turned broadside on five minutes later to try again. The Canopus, however, sent her warmest love to them three times, and they scooted to the south-east. As the Canopus was firing over a narrow neck of land the Germans did not know where the shots came from, but I can assure you they knew where they went. We saw pieces of shell strike them.
  A Stern Chase.
  "The other German cruisers steamed up to meet their mates, and left the transports behind. Then the British fleet steamed out, and we witnessed a stern chase. All the long summer afternoon we heard the noise of battle, but could not see anything. That evening, however, we received word that four of the five Germans had gone to Davy Jones' locker, and that we had not suffered any loss. The Bristol and Macedonia proceeded after the transports, and sank two f them.
  Brave German Sailors.
  "All the British fleet returned to Stanley, and we received a very vivid account of the great battle of the Falklands. The Germans fought and died like Britons. They were heroes every one, and all the more credit to our plucky blue boys to defeat, and defeat so heavily, men who knew how to fight and also how to die.
  "When our men returned, of course they were pleased, but one could see the shade of sadness on their faces as they told their story of how the poor German heroes met their fate. One German went over with a German flag in his hand, and as he was going down for the last time he thrust the hand with the flag above his head, and then sank. Was he not a man? I think so, but again I say all the more credit to our own brave heroes for such an overwhelming victory.
  "On the following day we at Sapper's Hill received a copy of a recommendation from the Admiral and also our own Commander-in-Chief congratulating Sapper's Hill on the excellent lookout kept, and one of the other two received special mention for his minute description of the vessels. We are each receiving a copy, so that I at least have had an active part in this historic war.
  "Few more days afterwards I was transferred to a more responsible position, that of signaller at Cape Pembroke Lighthouse, seven miles from Stanley. The British fleet had left Stanley then, and as Port William is mined all ships other than Germans had to be stopped outside Port William, and this was my job. I was signalling by the international code, so that my experiences in signalling have been varied." on 4 February 1915.⁹
• Passenger List*: William Ewan Conway was found on the passenger list of Abinsi Ship Elder, Dempster & Co on 14 November 1921 at depart Lagos, Africa, via Accra, arrive Liverpool, England, , Conway, William Ewan, 85 Beach Crescent, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, travelling 1st class, civil servant aged 27, permanent residence British Pocession; intended permanent residence Scotland, boarded ship at Accra.¹⁰
• (Witness) Photograph: William Ewan Conway is in this photograph taken circa 1929 at Rowanbank, Blebo Craigs, Cupar, Fife, Scotland, , along with William Fisher Conway, Jane Hutchison Wilkie jute weaver.⁵
  

  "Rowanbank", Blebo Craigs

  

  "Rowanbank", Blebo Craigs
  L-R believed to be William Ewan Conway, Jane Hutchison Wilkie Conway, William Fisher Conway
• Passenger List*: William Ewan Conway was found on the passenger list of Accra Ship Elder, Dempster & Co and with Adele Gertrude Aldridge on 22 July 1929 at depart Lagos, Africa, via Accra, Freetown, Monrovia, arrive Plymouth, England, , Conway, William Ewan, 62 Church Road Richmond Surrey, travelling 1st class, civil servant aged 35, permanent residence Gold Coast; boarded ship at Takoraki.¹¹
• Passenger List*: William Ewan Conway was found on the passenger list of Apapa Ship Elder, Dempster & Co on 22 December 1930 at depart Lagos, Africa, via Accra, Freetown, arrive Plymouth, England, , Conway, William Ewan, 62 Church Road Richmond Surrey, travelling 1st class, civil servant aged 37, permanent residence Gold Coast; boarded ship at Takovadi.¹¹
• Passenger List: William Ewan Conway was found on the passenger list of Accra Ship Elder, Dempster & Co on 17 December 1947 at depart Lagos, Africa, via Freetown, arrive Liverpool, England, , Conway, William Ewan, 8 North Approach, Moor Park, Northwood, Middlesex, travelling 1st class, Government Official aged 54, permanent residence England; boarded ship at Akoradi.¹²
• (Witness) Photograph: William Ewan Conway is in this photograph taken in 1949 along with Alexander Miller chiropodist, Kate Nicolson shirt maker, Adele Gertrude Aldridge, Audrey Malvina Conway, Marion Conway Miller obstetrician & gynaecologist and Rhoda Nicolson Miller.¹³
  

  Back : Audrey Malvina Conway, William Ewan Conway, Adele Gertrude Aldridge Conway, Kat Nicolson Miller, Alec Miller
  In front : Marion Conway Miller, Rhoda Nicolson Miller Francis
• Photograph*: William Ewan Conway and Adele Gertrude Aldridge are in this photograph taken on 1 July 1950 at St Paul's Church, Nethergate, Dundee, Angus, Scotland, , along with Audrey Malvina Conway.¹⁴
  

  1st July 1950, St Pauls' Church, Nethergate, Dundee
• (Informant) Death: William Ewan Conway registered the death of Kate Nicolson shirt maker on 22 September 1956 at 31 Farington Street, Dundee, Angus, Scotland, ; Kate Miller married to Alexander Miller chiropodist, 1956 September twenty second 7h 20m am 31 Farington Street Dundee, female aged 56 years, parents Alfred Henry Nicolson butcher master (dec) Catherine Nicolson ms Riley (dec), cause scirrhus of breast multiple metastases as cert by W Fyffe Dorward MBChB, signed W Ewan Conway cousin 16 Burn Street Dundee, registered 1956 September 22nd at Dundee J H Vaughan assistant registrar, initialed [Jsilby].¹⁵
• (Informant) Death: William Ewan Conway registered the death of Martha Gray carpet weaver on 4 December 1957 at Royal Infirmary, Dundee, Angus, Scotland, ; Martha Dargie widow of James Dargie tram car driver; 1957 December Fourth 6h 40m pm at Royal Infirmary (UR 56 Provost Road) Dundee; female aged 76 years, parents Hugh Gray coal carter (dec) and Martha Gray ms Conway (dec); coronary thrombosis as vert by Ian A Harper MBChB; signed William Conway cousin 16 Burn Street Dundee; registered 1957 December 5th at Dundee signed J H Vaughan assist registrar initialled John E Cant registrar.¹⁶
• (Spouse) Death: His spouse Adele Gertrude Aldridge died on 7 May 1976 at Dundee, Scotland, .¹⁷
• Photograph*: Catherine Nicolson Miller nursing sister and William Ewan Conway are in this photograph taken in December 1978 at Farington Street, Dundee, Angus, Scotland, .¹⁸
  

  Will Conway & Kay Adamson

Census & Directory Entries

Member of Household	31 March 1901	They was listed as a member of the household of William Fisher Conway and Jane Hutchison Wilkie jute weaver in the 1901 census at 31 Dundonald Street, Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, . William E Conway, son, single, aged 7, born Forfarshire, Dundee; William F Conway, head, married, aged 35, Dairyman, Employer, born Ayrshire, Kilwinning; Jane Conway, wife, married, aged 35, born Forfarshire, Dundee.19
Member of Household	31 March 1911	They was listed as a member of the household of William Fisher Conway and Jane Hutchison Wilkie jute weaver in the 1911 census at 20 Bank Avenue, Downfield, Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, . William E Conway, son, 17, single, dairyman's son working on van, worker, born Forfarshire, Dundee; 4 roomw with windows, 5 people in household; William F Conway, head, 45, married, dairyman, employer, born Ayrshire, Kilwinning; Jane H Conway, wife, 45, marr 33 years, 3 children born 2 still living, born Forfarshire, Dundee.20
Principal	1933	William Ewan Conway appeared in a directory of 1933 living at 187 Victoria Avenue, Hull, Yorkshire, England, ; 187, Conway, Wm., Customs Officer.21
Principal	1956	He appeared in a directory of 1956 living at 16 Burn Street, Dundee, Angus, Scotland, ; Conway, W E, 16 Burn Street, Dundee 85969.22