Deck Hand, 16527/DA, Connell McGarvey – Died 1 April 1918

Royal Naval Reserve,  H.M. Trawler “Bluebell”

Royal Naval Reserves Embelm. Shown on the grave of Connell McGarvey Copyright: © IWM.

Synopsis of Life and Military Service

Connell McGarvey was born on the 21 May 1899 at Inis Oirthir (Inishsirrer Island), County Donegal, Ireland, to his parents Philip and Catherine (Kate). His father being an Irish speaking farmer and fisherman.

Little is known of his early days in Ireland, however, it can be assumed due to his father’s occupation, that he had some experience at sea and of farming.

On 20 June 1917, Connell enrolled into the Royal Navy and at the time of his enrolment, he was described as:-

  • Height: 5ft 5
  • Chest: 35″
  • Complexion: Fair
  • Eye Colour: Blue
  • Religion: Roman Catholic

As he was part of the Royal Naval Reserve Trawler Section, he would have been working on small trawlers and drifters conducting minesweeping and anti-submarine duties, while being based at a certain depot ship.

His naval record is difficult to read but he is certainly shown as having served on the ‘Betsy Jamieson’, a hired motor drifter and ‘Bluebell III’ a hired trawler utilised for minesweeping.

His initial service shows him as being attached to HMS Pactolus which had been converted into a seagoing submarine depot ship in September 1912 and during his time there, he was based at Ardrossan on the Clyde with one of the Submarine Flotillas.

On 30 July 1917, he was based at HMS Crescent, which had been a cruiser but was now being utilised as a Depot ship at this time, probably based at Scapa Flow.

On 31 August 1917 he joined HMS Gunner, a ‘Q’ ship which was a heavily armed, disguised merchant vessel.

On 8 December 1917, he is shown as being based at HMS Colleen, a harbour service base ship at Queenstown (now Cobh, Ireland).

On 19 February 1918, he was based at HMS Eagle (Eaglet) at Liverpool.

On 1 April 1918, he was reported lost from His Majestys Trawler ‘Bluebell III’ and presumed drowned following being washed overboard.

On 14 May 1918, the recovery of his body was reported from HMS Eaglet at Liverpool, so it can be presumed that one of their support vessels found him on their patrol around that date.

He was later honoured and buried at a Rake Lane Cemetery, Wallasey, Merseyside.

On 10 September 1918 his sister Sarah applied for Connell’s personal effects.

Grave photo of Connell McGarvey. Photo by Mike McQuaid (Find a Grave)

Remarks

McGarvey died 1st April 1918. His military forms state that he would have been 22 years at his time of death. However, based on his birth date and census records he should be 18 years old unless the date he gave is incorrect.

HM Trawler ‘Bluebell’, changed its name during the war to ‘Bluebell III’ as there were several other ships of the same name. When the war finished it returned to its original name.

Connell is shown in his Naval Record as ‘Con’ and in the 1901 Census as ‘Condy’.

HMS Eagle later changed its name to HMS Eaglet to prevent confusion with the recently purchased battleship from Chile converted into an aircraft carrier also now called HMS Eagle launched in 1918.

Family

The following family information is taken from the 1901 and 1911 Census and Pension Card.

His family is shown as follows :-

  • Father: Philip McGarvey, born c.1861
  • Mother: Catherine (Kate) McGarvey (nee. Friel), born c.1871, died c.1911
  • Brother: Patrick, born April 1893 at Lunnaigh, County Donegal
  • Brother: Dominick, born May 1895 at Inishirrer Island, County Donegal
  • Brother: Maurice, born May 1897 at Inishirrer Island, County Donegal
  • Sister: Sarah, born June 1901 at Inishirrer Island, County Donegal

His brother Maurice is shown as being a servant in the 1911 Census at House 7, Lunniagh, Magheraclogher, County Donegal.

Addresses

The following addresses have been ascertained for Connell McGarvey :-

  • 1917: Inishirrer Island, Derrybegs, County Donegal, Ireland.
  • 1917: 18 Salisbury Street, Glasgow.

Medals

Connell McGarvey was awarded the  Victory , and the  British War Medal  for his service in the Great War.

Memorials

There has been no trace of Connell being named on any war memorial.

Links to Additional Information

References

  • 1901 Census.
  • 1911 Census
  • Pension Card. (Western Front Association)
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
  • Naval Service Record Cards. (The National Archive)
  • Naval War Medals – Royal Naval Reserve. (Ancestry)

Groups

Contributors:-

  • Evelyn Rylance