When she received the news that her son, Seaman John Kenny R.N.R., lost his life on the Laurentic his mother made the arduous journey to Donegal to identify his body and bring his remains home to be buried in Arklow cemetery. John Kenny was was born at 32 Hudson’s Square, Back street, Arklow, County Wicklow…
Author: harrykerr
Allen Percy Hilton
Allen Percy Hilton, Greaser, Mercantile Marine Reserve, was born in Southampton on the 15th of July 1878, the youngest of three children born to John Preston Hilton and Jane Cooper Hilton (née Christopher). His father was born St Ann’s Jamaica in 1831, the son of a West Indian Planter and his mother was born in…
Alwyne Bower
Private Alwyne Bower, the son of Enoch and Martha Bower (née Shelton) was born December 29th 1893 in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire. Enoch and Martha, both natives of Nottinghamshire, were married in 1884 in Basford. Like the overwhelming majority of the local male population of Eastwood, Alwyne’s father was a collier. In his early works DH Lawrence,…
Peter Caton
Engineer Sub Lieutenant Peter Caton, Royal Naval Reserve, was born at 7, Carpenter’s Row, Oxton Village, Birkenhead, in 1876. He was one of nine children born to Peter and Jane Caton. Peter Caton senior died on February 17th 1902, aged 68 and his wife Jane, the Oxton Village midwife, died on January 28th 1911, aged…
James Carlisle
Engineer Lieutenant James Carlisle, born April 1874, Portsmouth, Hampshire, was the eldest of nine children born to Chief Engineer James Carlisle, Royal Navy and Mary Agnes Carlisle (née Stares). James Carlisle’s family, London, Ontario, circa 1901 His family emigrated to Canada in 1884 where they settled in London, Ontario. He served his apprenticeship with Messrs….
John Burke
Yeoman of Signals John Burke was born on May 1st 1870 in Ballyduff, Listowel, Co. Kerry, the son of David and Bridget Burke (née Browne). John’s father, who was also in the Royal Navy, enlisting at the age of 12 and served in the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny, taking part in the relief…
William West McGhie
Engine Room Artificer William West McGhie of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, was the second child of Nathaniel and Elizabeth McGhie (née West). He was born and grew up in Hutchesontown, in Glasgow’s Southside. Like most working class families in Glasgow at the time, the McGhie’s lived in a four story tenement building in which…
Alfred Dougherty
Able Seaman Alfred Dougherty was born on December 5th 1884 and baptised in the Church of St George, Douglas, Isle of Man on January 5th 1885. Much of his adult life was spent at sea; on fishing boats, passenger ships and military vessels. His parents were both born in The Isle of Man; his father…
Ernest Winterton
Born 4th Jan 1891 in Nottingham, Able Seaman Ernest Winterton was the son of William and Elizabeth Winterton (née Dawes). Both of his parents were born in Nottingham, and they married there in 1868. Ernest was the second youngest of their twelve children. In 1871 William and Elizabeth had two children and they were living…
John James
Able Seaman John James was born 19th November 1874 St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire. John had served with the Royal Navy for several years prior to the war, but had left the Navy to return to Cardigan after marrying Annie Rees in 1900. When the census was taken in April 1911 John, Annie and their son Rees…
The Legacy of the Laurentic 