Bernard McGuinness was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, on the 27th August 1877, the son of Thomas and Mary McGuinness (née Berry). His father was a general labourer, and Bernard was the middle child in a family of five children. The family home when Bernard was growing up was at 39. Tindall Street, Liverpool.
After completing his formal education, Bernard became a dock labourer before he decided on a life at sea as a ship’s trimmer.
On the 24th October 1908, Bernard married Emma Rigby, and lived for a time at 2 House, 3 Court, Boundary St., Kirkdale, Liverpool, before moving further up the street to number 139.
He engaged as a trimmer in the Engineering Department on board the Lusitania, at Liverpool, on the 12th April 1915. His monthly rate of pay was £6-0s.-0d. He reported for duty at 8 a.m. on the 17th April, before the Lusitania’s left for her final ever voyage
to New York and survived her sinking three weeks later.
On his eventual return to Liverpool, he was officially discharged from her final voyage and paid the balance of wages owing to him. In keeping with all the crew, whether they survived or not, this was paid up to and including the 8th May, 24 hours after the liner had gone down,
Bernard McGuinness continued to serve on Cunard’s trans-Atlantic liners for many years after his experience, including the Aquitania. He is listed as being a fireman while serving on this liner.
In later life, he became a coal dealer and resided with his family at 305. Westminster Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool.
He died in Belmont Road Hospital in Liverpool on the 18th September 1945, aged 68 years. He was buried in Ford Cemetery, Liverpool, on the 22nd September 1945.
Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths, Liverpool England Catholic Baptisms 1741 – 1919, Liverpool England Catholic Marriages 1754 – 1933, Liverpool England Catholic Burials 1813 – 1985, 1881 Census of England, 1891 Census of England, 1901 Census of England, 1911 Census of England, 1921 Census of England, 1939 Register, Cunard Records, PRO BT 100/345, PRO BT 348, PRO BT 350, PRO BT 351/1/93126, Graham Maddocks, Madeline Escalante, Geoff Whitfield, Michael Poirier, Jim Kalafus, Cliff Barry, Paul Latimer, Norman Gray.
Copyright © Peter Kelly.
Revised & Updated – 21st December 2024.