Matthew George CONNOLLY

Captain Matthew Connolly was born in Kincardine Bruce County, Canada, on 5 January 1877. He graduated with honours from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1902.

Matthew Connolly enlisted as a private in Edmonton on 11 November 1916 and was attached to the Canadian Forestry Corps, which had been created three days after Connolly enlisted. The Forestry Corps provided lumber for the Allied war effort by cutting and preparing timber in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Connolly arrived in England on 23 March 1917 and worked in Berkshire when he was injured while on duty on 24 April 1917. He fell into an unrailed pit, striking his face on timber at the bottom of the pit, which almost cut off his nose.

Following a series of operations on his nose, Connolly transferred to the British Army Veterinary Corps and was commissioned as a temporary Lieutenant on 13 November 1917. On 13 November 1918, Connolly was appointed Temporary Captain.

Connolly served with the British Army Veterinary Corps from 13 November 1917 to 27th August 1919. Most of his service then was with the Number 1 Convalescent Horse Depot in France and the 19th Veterinary Hospital at Rouen.

Soon after returning to Canada, Connolly died from a fractured skull after being struck by a tram.

He is buried in Kincardine Cemetery.