Merchant Navy ship S.S. Kenbane Head (Belfast) was sunk of the coast of Greenland by two gun salvoes fired from German Pocket Ship Admiral Scheer which hit the cargo hold, destroyed the gun platform and funnel on the 5 November 1940
Database of World War II medals issued to merchant seamen on Ancestry.
If WW2 medals have been issued it will show their Discharge Number. Example R123456
Total of 19 from Northern Ireland Crossed the Bar 5 November 1940
James McNeilly Belshaw, Carpenter Merchant Navy on SS Kenbane Head (Belfast)
Born on 10 September 1904 in Ballywalter to John (Petty Officer Coastguard) and Jane Belshaw, nee McNeilly. 1911 with his parents and siblings at with his parents at a Coastguard Station, 10 Lackagh, Dawros Donegal.
Husband of Jane Belshaw, of Ballywalter
He Crossed the Bar at sea through enemy action 5 November 1940 aged 36 years as the result of being sunk by two gun salvoes fired from German Pocket Ship Admiral Scheer which hit the cargo hold, destroyed the gun platform and funnel.
Discharge number R176020
Record of Death Merchant Seaman Record. His last known address was given as 2 Dunleath Terrace, Ballywalter, County Down.
Commemorated on a family grave in Whitechurch Cemetery Ballywalter also on the Tower Hill Memorial, London
Second Engineer Hugh Carson Discharge number 828171
Born 3 January 1894 to William and Isabella Carson, nee McCullough of 7 Harvey Street, Belfast. Irish 1901 census. With his parents and siblings at 78 Hillman Street, Dock Ward Belfast. 1911 with his parents and siblings at Oceanic Avenue, Duncairn, Belfast.
18 May 1920 he married Margaret (married as Maggie) McAlpine at Spamount Congreginal Church Belfast, occupation engineer. Later they resided at 2 Lisdarragh Park Belfast
Died at sea aged 46 years.
David John Pritchard. Merchant Navy on S.S. Kenbane Head (Belfast) Discharge number R176835
Born 16 April 1919 to David (discharged soldier) and Eliza Jane Pritchard, nee McMaster of Ballyhalbert, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.
Lost at sea through enemy action 5 November 1940 aged 21 years.
Commemorated on his parent’s memorial in Ballyhalbert Graveyard, Ards Peninsula County Down. Northern Ireland, also on Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Some notes about his father,
His father joined the Royal Irish Rifles on the 10 November 1915 at Belfast as Private 829. After basic training post with the 18 Battalion to France. 9 June 1916 invalided back from France to the Regiment Depot Dublin. 19 October 1916 at Dublin medically discharged as be no longer physically fit for war service due an old injury to his left knee which was aggravated by military active service.
His injury was caused four years prior to enlistment. He was thrown out of a trap and his leg got caught in the wheel. He never had with it until he joined the army
Apprentice Robert Green. Discharge number R153008
Born 1922 to Robert Ewart and Elizabeth Green, nee McKee of Kilkeel, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.
Parents married in Belfast 16 September 1919. Both from Killkeel.
Died at sea aged 18 years.
Assistant Steward, Reginald John Primmer. Discharge number R153008
Born 1922 to John Henry and Violet May Primmer, nee Tanner of The Square Portaferry, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.
Died at sea aged 19 years.
Commemorated on a family memorial at Ballyphilip Catholic Churchyard, Portaferry,
Second Officer George McClelland Leckey. Discharge number R70861
8 June 1913 at Marine Parade, Holywood, to Henry (k/a Harry) and Mary Ann Leckey, nee McClelland of Breezemount, Holywood Co. Down. Husband of Susan Margaret Leckey, of Breezemount Park Avenue Holywood, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
He trained at the Prince of Wales Sea Training School, Merchant Navy, Limehouse, London
Died at sea age 27 years
Note CWGC have his parents as ‘Harry and Jane Leckey’
Able Seaman, Donald James Grant MacKay. Discharge number R138510
Born 23 December 1915 at 31 Pretoria Street, Belfast to James Alexander and Elizabeth Mackay, nee Grant of Middletown Co Armagh Northern Ireland.
Died at sea aged 24 years.
Store Keeper, John James Laidlaw. Discharge number 919577
Born 1876 in Edinburgh Scotland to John and Isabella Laidlaw, nee Wood. Scottish 1881 with his widowed father and siblings at 24 Fowler Terrace Edinburgh. 1891 lodging at the home of the Scott family at 12 Old Bongate, Jedburgh Roxburghshire, pupil teacher. (Irish 1901 census, his father and siblings one being Agnes aged 20 years were residing 17 Simmons Place, Mountjoy, Dublin)
The 23 February 1904 he married Ellen Smith at the Registry Office Dublin, occupation, labourer, father John. He was residing at 14 Drummer Hill Dublin. One of his witnesses was Agnes Laidlaw, (Ellen died 12 August 1923 at 2 Summer Place, Dublin.)
Irish 1911 census aged 36. At Dufferin Dock, Belfast occupation Fireman on a Merchant Navy Ship. Status, married
In 1928 he remarried to a person called Catherine in Belfast. From 1932 to 1939 they were residing at 5 Washington Street, Belfast, his occupation, seaman. From his death to 1947 his widow Catherine resided at same address
Merchant Seamen death record show his wife Catherine Laidlaw, of 2 Washington Street Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Died at sea aged 64 years.
Donkeyman, Joseph McGuigan. WW2 medals not issued
Born 13 December 1897 in the Workhouse to James and Mary McGuigan, nee Ingram. Husband of Mary Teresa, nee Hanna who he married 28 October 1916 aged 19 years at St Joseph Church, Belfast, occupation labourer. residing at 124 Garmoyle Street, Belfast. Father James. His wife was also aged 19 residing at 44 North Thomas Street, Belfast. They later moved to 35 Back Street Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Died at sea aged 42 years.
Fireman and Trimmer, Joseph (k/a Joseph Leo) McGuigan. WW2 medals not issued
Born 16 January 1892 to Francis and Sarah McGuigan, nee McCorry at 6 Little Corporation Street, Belfast. (Birth name Joseph McGuigan). 1901-1911 with his parents and siblings at no 2 Pilot Place, off Pilot Street Belfast Dock.
Married 5 August 1911 aged 19 at St Patricks Church Belfast to Mary Jane McCann aged 18 years. His occupation, boatman and resided with his parents at 7 Short Street, Belfast. His wife died 1 September 1913 at 5 Alexander Street, Belfast. Date not known he married Elizabeth McLarnon. About the time of his death his last residence was given as 30 Joanmount Street Belfast, occupation, Fireman and Trimmer
Died at sea aged 47 years
Fireman and Trimmer, Thomas Edward Henry Shaw. Discharge number R107435
Born 18 February 1910 at 59 Albert Road, Carrickfergus Co Antrim to Houston (engineer at sea) and Margaret (k/a Maggie) Shaw nee Service. 1911 with his mother and siblings at the same address. His father was dock side in Bristol on ship S.S. Findhorn, occupation 1st Engineer
Husband of Adeline of 34 Snugville Street, Belfast,
Died at sea aged 33 years.
Cook, George Heatley. Discharge number R1045547.
Born 23 August 1904 to James and Isabella, nee Gardner of Mountcollyer Road, Belfast. 1911 with his parents and siblings at 14 North Thomas Street, Belfast Docks. His father was a boilermaker.
Husband of Jane Heatley, of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Died at sea aged 37 years.
Cook, Robert Irwin Moore. Discharge number R189873
Born 1921 to Henry and Martha Moore, nee Smith of Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Died at sea aged 19 years.
Fireman and Trimmer, James Hodges Emerson. Discharge number R21243
Born 24 December 1919 to William John and Elizabeth Emerson, nee Kelly of 20 Lawther Place, Belfast, Ireland. Died at sea aged 19 years.
Sailor, David Allister. Discharge number R166898.
Born 2 September 1920 to William John and Minnie Allister, nee Porter at 1 Rusholme Street, Belfast. At time of death his parents were residing at 5 Velsheda Park, Belfast
Died at sea aged 20 years.
Fireman and Trimmer, Marriott McAughtry. No discharge number issue.
Born 12 April 1913 to Marriott (stoker on a ship) and Elizabeth, nee Condut of 130 Cosgrove Street, Belfast. Husband of Margaret, nee Keel of 84 Hillman Street, Belfast
Died at sea aged 27 years.
Fourth Engineer Officer, Douglas Wilson. Discharge number R191353
Born 7 August 1917 to Robert and Matilda Wilson, nee McDowell of 16 Conway Street Belfast.
Later of 123 Manor Street, Old Park Road, Belfast.
Died at sea aged 23 years.
Boatswain, William (or Erdis) Wright. WW2 medals not issued
Born 1897. Husband of Ellen of 29 Albert Road, Carrickfergus Co Antrim Northern Ireland
Died at sea aged 43 years.
Fireman and trimmer. Bernard Patrick Henry. (Birth name Patrick Bernard Henry)
Born 28 April 1901 George Kennedy and Margaret Henry, nee Devlin of 32 Spamount Street, Belfast.
1901 his parents and siblings were residing at 40 Greenmount Street, Belfast. 1911 with his parents and siblings at 33 Greenmount Street. He is named as Patrick aged 9 years.
Husband of Kathleen Henry, of Marino, Dublin, Irish Republic. Merchant Seaman Death Card for him shows his last residence as 25 New Andrew Street, Sailortown. Belfast. He was at that location in 1939. Died aged 39 years.
Click on sskhni in TAGS for other Northern Ireland connections
The remaining crew who Crossed the Bar
Fireman and trimmer. David James Davies
Born 1895 to Thomas and Martha Davies. His death record shows last address, 32 John Street, Port Talbot South Wales. Died aged 45 years
Second Radio Officer. Leslie Cumming Grave.
Born 18 March 1907 to Cumming and Amy Grave. 1911 with his parents and siblings at 14 Brill Street, Birkenhead. 1939 with his wife Eleanor May, nee Guirron at 11 Valerian Road, Birkenhead occupation credit collector. Died aged 33 years.
Assistant Steward. Harry Bloor.
Born 1919 to Joseph Stanley and Mabel Edith Bloor of 75 Corbett Avenue, Toronto, Ontario.
Died aged 21 years. (see download Death of Harry Bloor
First Radio Officer. Patrick Christopher Cahill.
Born 24 December 1903 at 25 Maymount Cork, Ireland to Patrick (Sgt Royal Irish Constabulary) and Anne Cahill, nee Fullam. Irish 1911. at a Boarding School, North Dublin aged 8 years. His parents and siblings were residing at 53 Kilbrogan Street, Bandon, County Cork
Merchant Seaman Death Card for him show his last residence. 2 Crabtree Lane, London S.W.6
Died aged 37 years.
Able Seaman. Daniel Donovan.
Born 5 September 1907 to Michael and Ellen Donovan, nee Hegarty at North Ring, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, Irish Republic.
Merchant Seaman Death Card for him show s his last residence at North King, Clonakilty
Died aged 33 years.
All commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
