John Conning, Francis Street, Stornoway

Mr David Conning, merchant and fruiterer, Francis Street, formerly head gardener at Lewis Castle, received official notification that his eldest son, Pte John Conning, of the Canadian Infantry, who had been wounded in action about the 7th of November, died in hospital at Etaples on the 18th November. Pte Conning, who was 26 years of age, followed his father's occupation of gardener in the home country, being employed for some time at Beaufort Castle, and afterwards at Ardross Castle. About seven years ago, he emigrated to Canada. His younger brother, Charles, had gone to the Dominion a year earlier, and latterly was successfully farming  and was employed on a ranch adjoining his brother's farm. Eighteen months ago, he enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Forces, and a few months later his brother, abandoning his farm, also joined up for the service of the Motherland. Both have been fighting in Flanders for some time. One of their sisters, Florence, is at munitions works in Glasgow. The news of John's death was received with deep and widespread regret in Stornoway, and the sincere sympathy of the whole community goes out to Mr and Mrs Conning and their family in their great and irrepairable loss.