Rifleman John Connor was born in Castledawson, Londonderry, Ireland, in 1848 to Mary and Thomas Connor.

In June 1866 he was a volunteer in Number 1 Company, The Queen’s Own Rifles called up to active service to fight the Fenian invaders at Fort Erie.

Surviving the battle, he died less than a year later, on 17 February 1867, of illness attributable to his time of service. Many of the volunteers took to drinking water from ditches and streams due to a lack of supplies which quite likely resulted in a number of deaths after the battle.

He was buried by his mother and members of his Company in the Necropolis Cemetery Toronto Plot H-229a.

His grave marker is only partially readable and also included some other family members (text courtesy of Necropolis Cemetery) :

Gone but not forgotten

Erected by Mary CONNOR

In memory of her beloved son

John CONNOR

Native of Castledawson,

Londonderry, Ireland

Died Feb. 17, 1867

[from] disease contracted at [Ridgeway]

June 2, 1866

[In] the 19^th year of his life

Not only has our house been […..]

[……] death has called him […..]

[…….] truth with fond embrace

[……..] whom we loved so dear

Faithful friend a son most dear

A [tender] brother lieth here

Great is the loss that we sustain

But hope in Heaven to meet again

Native of Castledawson

Co. Londonderry Ireland

[died] [Jan or Jun] 10, [1849]

[several lines illegible]

Mary SPEAR

The beloved wife of

Thomas CONNOR

Died [Nov.] 24 1879

As of 2022, thanks to efforts by the regiment, a new grave marker was installed for Rifleman John Connor.