Michael ‘Mick’ McGeough was born in Drumbilla, also known as Skyhill, near Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland, on the 15th January 1892, the son of James and Mary McGeough (née Martin). His parents were farmers, and Mick was an only child as his mother died in June 1893, while he was still an infant.
He was raised by his maternal grandmother and became a bricklayer after completing his education, before immigrating to Liverpool, Lancashire, England, sometime after 1911, presumably for better work opportunities. In Liverpool, he lodged at 2, Middle Street.
He engaged as a fireman in the Engineering Department on board the Lusitania, at Liverpool, on the 12th April 1915 and it was not his first voyage on the liner. As a fireman, his monthly rate of pay was £6-10s.-0d. (£6.50p.). He reported for duty at 8 a.m. on the 17th April, before the Lusitania’s left the River Mersey for the last time.
He did not survive the sinking, three weeks later and as his body was not recovered and identified afterwards, he is commemorated on the Mercantile Marine Memorial at Tower Hill, London.
Although he was aged 23 years when he died, he gave his age on engagement as 25 years.
A list of crew members who perished on the ship, published in March 1916 shows his name to be spelled McGough, but this is incorrect.
Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths, Ireland Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers 1763 – 1917, 1901 Census of Ireland, 1911 Census of Ireland, Cunard Records, Commonwealth War Grave Commission, PRO BT 100/345, PRO BT 334, Deaths at Sea 1871 – 1968, Graham Maddocks, Geoff Whitfield, Michael Poirier, Jim Kalafus, Cliff Barry, Paul Latimer, Norman Gray.
Copyright © Peter Kelly.
Revised & Updated – 15th December 2024.