James Joseph Larkin was born in the United States of America in 1882, the son of James and Catherine Larkin (née Murphy) who were Irish immigrants. Shortly after his birth, the family returned to Ireland and settled at Ballaverty, Carlingford, County Louth, where his father worked a farm and was also a publican. James’ younger brother, Patrick, was born in 1884.
On the 23rd June 1893, James Larkin senior died a few days after been assaulted by being struck on the head by a stick following a disagreement with a neighbour at Dundalk fair. His assailant was not charged with assault as an inquest ruled that he was acting “in self-defence and under great provocation”!
In 1895, his mother married Charles McQuaid, who was former policeman, and took over the running of the family farm.
James Larkin married Catherine McAllister in St. James’ Catholic Church, Grange, Carlingford, County Louth, on the 10th January 1906, and they lived with their two children with Catherine’s family at 13. Euston Street, Greenore, County Louth. by 1911, they lived at 9, Milford Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool, Lancashire. They had at least two children.
In search of work, James Larkin joined the Mercantile Marine as a fireman and greaser on steam ships, and mainly found work out of the port of Liverpool. Whilst there, he lodged at 9. Milford Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool, Lancashire, England.
In April 1915 he engaged as a greaser in the Engineering Department on board the Lusitania at a monthly rate of pay of £7-0s.-0d. He reported on board on the 17th April at 8 a.m., in time for the liner’s last exit from the River Mersey.
The liner crossed the Atlantic without incident and having docked in New York on the 24th April 1915, eventually left there a week later, on the early afternoon of the 1st May, for her return to Liverpool. Then, six days later, on the afternoon of the 7th May, she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-20, within sight of the coast of southern Ireland. At that time, she was only about 250 miles away from the safety of her home port.
James Larkin was killed as a result of the sinking and his body was not recovered and identified afterwards and as a consequence, he is commemorated on the Mercantile Marine Memorial at Tower Hill, London. He was aged 33.
In August 1915, Catherine Larkin was given the balance of wages owed to her husband in respect of his service before the vessel sank. This was reckoned from the 17th April until the 8th May 1915, 24 hours after the Lusitania had gone down. In addition, The Liverpool and London War Risks Insurance Association Limited granted her an annual pension to compensate her for the loss of her husband. This amounted to £46-7s.-10d. (£46.39p.) which was payable at the rate of £3-17s.-4d. (£3.86½p.) per month.
Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths, 1901 Census of Ireland, 1911 Census of England, 1911 Census of Ireland, Cunard Records, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Newry Telegraph, Wallasey News, UniLiv. PR 13/24,PRO BT 100/345, PRO BT 334, PRO BT 351/179563, Deaths at Sea 1871 – 1968, Graham Maddocks, Geoff Whitfield, Michael Poirier, Jim Kalafus, Cliff Barry, Paul Latimer, Norman Gray.
Copyright © Peter Kelly.
Revised & Updated – 17th February 2024.