Description
Queen’s South Africa, bar Natal, Able Seaman John Moran Cavanagh, HMS Thetis, Naval Brigade in Zululand during the war, Wounded Nov 1914 East Lancs Regt.
Officially impressed: “J.M. Cavanagh, A.B. H.M.S. Thetis”
Confirmed on the medal roll. With copy service papers.
Unusually entitled to a posthumous 1914 Star and bar trio, wounded at Ypres by a Gunshot on 23rd October 1914 with the 1st Bn Loyal North Lancs, he died only week before the end of the war on 4th November 1918.
The Lancashire Infantry Museum recallls the day:
https://www.lancashireinfantrymuseum.org.uk/regiments-great-war
“First Ypres: 1st Loyal North Lancashires were engaged in the epic First Battle of Ypres from 23rd October, when they made a most gallant and successful bayonet charge at the Kortekeer Cabaret, and through the desperate crisis of the battle around Gheluvelt on October 31st, remaining in action until 14th November. 2nd South Lancashires also joined in the Ypres fighting, withstanding repeated attacks at Nonne Boschen 11th-13th November. The battle swayed back and forth as fresh German divisions were committed and, with ever-decreasing numbers, the British Regular Army fought almost literally to the death, constantly attacking, withdrawing and counter-attacking. The line held, but at terrible cost, both Lancashire battalions being reduced to barely company strength.”
285 QSA issued to HMS Thetis, with 104 Natal clasps. Only 618 Natal clasps issued to the whole Navy and Marines etc combined.
John Moran Cavanagh was born on 22nd Feb 1877 in Warrington, Lancashire. He was a Hammerman by trade.
Attested for service with the RN on 23rd Jan 1893 as a Boy 2nd Class of 15 year old at HMS Impregnable.
Came of age to become an Ordinary Seaman on 22nd Feb 1895, on HMS Caroline, followed by AB Able Seaman on 2nd March 1896.
He first joined HMS Thetis on 15th February 1898 and served on board until 8th June 1901.
Notably during this time he was advanced to Leading Seaman on 1st May 1899, before a stint in the cells for 14 days knocked him back to Able Seaman during November 1899.
Following service back home from 9th June 1901 until 13th October 1902, he would return to the Thetis once again from 25th November 1902 until 12th July 1905.
During this period he returned back to Leading Seaman on 14th June 1904, followed by a promotion to Petty Officer 2nd Class on 16th April 1905.
He dropped back to Leading Seaman in Nov 1905, followed by Able Seaman again on 6th June 1906, finishing out his 12 years of service at HMS Pembroke on 21st February 1907.
Later in 1914, with the outbreak of World War 1, he was not obligated to return to the Royal Navy as a reservist.
Instead he chose to enlist with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 14th August 1914.
He was posted overseas with the “Old Contemptibles” and fought at Ypres as a Corporal, where he was wounded in action on 23rd October 1914.
He served in France from 19th September 1914 until 26th October 1914, when invalided, which earned him the 1914 “Mons” Star with clasp.
He received a gun shot wound to his right foot which led him to be invalided a few days later on the SS St David, 26th October 1914.
He was not about to let that stop him serving, seeing further service in the East Lancs, the Royal North Lancs, Garrison Battalion Cheshire Regiment and finally the Labour Corps “565th Home Service” until he was finally discharged as physically unfit for further service on 17th April 1918.
Following his discharge he would not live to see the end of the war, he died on 4th November 1918, only a week before the Armistice.
He is noted on the Commonwealth War Graves as buried in Grave E2 in Walte Le Dale Roman Catholic Churchyard.
