McCONKEY, Lieutenant Thomas William - Military Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 26 July 1917. Born in Canada; home in Bradford [?], Ontario (bank clerk). Commissioned in 10oth Winnipeg Grenadiers, July 1915. Served overseas in 11th Reserve Battalion, CEF. To RFC, Reading, 15 February 1917; to Brooklands, 16 February 1917; graded Lieutenant, RFC, 20 March 1917. Served in No.59 Squadron, 20 March to 11 May 1917 (wounded) and again 11 July to 17 July 1917. To UK, 11 September 1917; to No.39 TDS, 17 October 1917; to No.92 Squadron, 9 November 1917; to School of Special Flying, 4 February 1918; to No.3 TDS, 7 November 1918; ceases to be seconded to RAF, 17 January 1919.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was attacked by several hostile machine and was wounded in three places. He continued to work his machine gun, driving off the hostile machines. His courage and determination undoubtedly saved his pilot and machine.

NOTE: Public Record Office Air 1/1515 has recommendation sent on 14 May 1917 from 3rd Brigade to Headquarters, Royal Flying Corps and includes more details:

For skill and gallantry.

On the 11th May while on photographic patrol near Dury his machine was attacked by several hostile aircraft and he was at once wounded in three places, his gun mounting being shot away. Although in great pain he continued to work his machine gun, driving off the hostile machines after firing 300 rounds. His courage and determination undoubtedly saved his pilot and machine from destruction.

On four previous occasions he has succeeded in driving down hostile machines which attacked his machine while on reconnaissance duty, enabling important work to be completed. He has done consistently fine work as an observer and has proved an excellent example to the other observers of his squadron.