Carrickfergus and H.M.S Hawke

Early in the First World War, H.M.S Hawke, commanded by Capt. Hugh P.E.T. Williams, was engaged in various operations in the North Sea. On 15 October 1914 Hawke, sailing with her sister ship Theseus, was torpedoed by German submarine U-9. The submarine's first torpedo missed Theseus but hit Hawke, igniting a magazine and causing a tremendous explosion which ripped much of the ship apart. Hawke sank in a few minutes with the loss of her captain, 26 officers and 497 men; only 70 of her 594 crew survived.

Of the 497 men who lost their lives on board 99 years ago, Carrickfergus today remembers SS/103005 - Stoker Andrew McAllister and SS/107927 - Stoker Marriott Robert Donald.

Andrew McAllister was born in Carrickfergus on September 1st 1887 and prior to enlisting was living in Patterson's Row, Woodburn with his wife Susan McAllister.  Andrew and Susan were members of Joymount Presbyterian Church. 

Marriott (Martie) Donald was born in Carrickfergus on 25th October 1886 and prior to the war was living in Red Brae Cottage.  He was the eldest son of Robert and Isabella Donald, brother to Sarah, John, Nellie and Mabel and husband to Bella Donald. 


Neither Andrew or Martie were ever recovered from the wreckage and their bodies were lost at sea.  Today they are remembered on Panel 5 of the Chatham Naval Memorial. 

Rifleman Robert Kirk 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

 Remembering today Rifleman Robert Kirk - 6103 - 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles - Killed in action 14th October 1918 in Belgium. 


Prior to the war Robert lived with his family in Davy's Street, Carrickfergus.  He was killed less than 1 month before the end of the Great War and is buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery (Belgium) location - II. A. 2.


He and his family were all members of the St Nicholas Church of Ireland in the town and Robert is remembered on the Bell Tower memorial plaque there.

Gunner William Henry Moore - Royal Garrison Artillery

NAME; Moore, William Henry

RANK; Gunner

SERV. NO; 57994

UNIT/SERVICE; 200^th Siege Battery

REGIMENT; Royal Garrison Artillery

BORN; Carrickfergus 1888

LIVED; Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Carrickfergus

FATE; Died of Wounds, France, October 3^rd 1917 aged 19

CEMETERY; St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen (France) - P. III. K. 8B

CHURCH; Church of Ireland, St Nicholas

MEMORIAL;

REMARKS; Youngest Son of Charles and Jane Moore Ellis Street Carrickfergus and brother to Rose Ann, Charles, Mary Elizabeth,  Andrew,  John and Teresa – Following his enlistment to the Royal Garrison Artillery he had served for a period of time in Carrickfergus and then in County Cork.  He had only been on active service for 4 weeks before suffering a serious which killed him.  At the same time news of his death reached his parents in 1917 they were also confronted with the tragic news that their other son had been seriously injured in Salonica.  

St. Sever Cemetery Extension

Rifleman James Craig

Remembering today:  Rifleman James Craig - 11909 - 15th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.  

Born in Carrickfergus in 1868, died at home in Carrickfergus 4th October 1914 aged 46.  James in buried in St Nicholas Churchyard.  He was the son of David and Jane Craig.  

Given the dates of his death it seems he would have died as a result of accident or illness during training with the 15th Battalion.