Saturday 30 May 2015

Molloy, John Thomas (Qualified Signalman)



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Molloy, John Thomas
Qualified Signalman


John Thomas Mulloy was born in Newchurch (-in-Rossendale) in 1873. His parents were recorded as resident at "16 Lord Street, Newchurch by Bacup" in the 1881 Census and his father as head of the family and employed as a Coachman. The 1891 Census shows his mother now as head of the family (John Thomas aged 7) and now living in Ardwick Street, Burnley. The 1901 Census shows John Thomas aged 17 now serving as Boy 1st Class (Signals) on HMS Pioneer. Although there are three (Jorden) step-siblings mentioned in 1881/1891 Census Ellen A. is John Thomas full blood elder sister. His Service Record shows he left the Navy on 24th April 1908. The 1911 Census has him employed as a Postman (now 27) and living with his step-brother, Patrick Jordan, and his family at 89 Miller Road, Preston. His Service Record shows him back in the Navy on 7th August 1914. At the time of his death his sister (then) Ellen Singleton of 4, Pine Street, Haslingden, Haslingden is recorded as his official Next of Kin on Navy Records. A footnote to an unidentified local newspaper report recording the death of another Hawke sailor, SS/2857 Able Seaman Percy Peacock Law adds "Another man who is amongst the missing crew of the Hawke had some connection with Haslingden. This was Mr. J. T. Molloy, qualified signalman, who in civil life was a member of the postal staff of the travelling Post Office between Preston and Aberdeen. Molloy had done ten years with the Fleet, and answered the call on the outbreak of the war. He has a sister, Mrs. W. Singleton, living at 4 Pine Street, Haslingden, who received a letter from him on Thursday of last week, in which he enclosed a remittance of his pay, saying it was no use to him where he was, on the Hawke."
John Thomas Mulloy is recorded on the Hawke Casualty List as "MULLOY, John T, Signalman (RFR B 5053), 204138 (Ch)" and a John Thomas Mulloy is recorded as (undated) "J.T. Molloy" on the Haslingden Municipal Memorial and a (undated) "John Molloy" on Haslingden's St Mary's RC Church War Memorial.  To clarify any confusion there is also  C.T. Molloy who was also a Hawke casualty. There is no other connection. Charles Molloy is recorded on the Hawke Casualty List as: MOLLOY, Charles, Chief Petty Officer (RFR B 2975), 171847 (Ch)
With many thanks to Ian Cameron for kindly sending in the above information (22nd April 2018).