Patrick Melia: The Lusitania Resource

Mr. PATRICK MELIA, Greaser

image: Bill Wilson Collection

Patrick Melia, 50, was born in Liverpool, England 1865 to Patrick and Margaret Melia. His parents came from Ireland and the family name then was "O'Melia." During those days the English Government forced the Irish to remove the "O" from their surnames, or else they would not be able to find jobs in England. The Irish had a term for this and it was called "drinking the soup." Simply put, leave the "O" or you will starve.

On the docks of Liverpool, Patrick Melia's nickname was "Patty Cooper" due to the fact he was a barrel maker and mender prior to becoming a "greaser", now known as a "stoker." His main ship was the Mauretania which he made many voyages on prior to signing on to the Lusitania. As far as his family knows, Melia shipped out on the Lusitania only one time, and that was in 1915 when it was sunk by the Germans, leading to his death at the age of 50.

Ironically, Melia was slated to sail on the Titanic during that liner's maiden and final voyage, but illness prevented him going and spared his life. The local pub put on a celebration for the good fortune of this "most lucky fellow."

Melia took the assignment on the Lusitania because the pay was more due to the fact the Germans had threatened several times that they were going to sink the Lusitania, a belligerent ship. When the Lusitania was hit, Melia was most likely in the engine room and his remains were never found.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists the following information on greaser Patrick Melia:

In Memory of...

Greaser John Melia

S.S. "Lusitania" (Liverpool), Mercantile Marine who died aged 50 on Friday, 7th May 1915.

Greaser Melia was the son of the late Patrick and Margaret Melia; husband of Mary Ann Melia (nee Faulkner), of 4, Argo Rd., Waterloo, Lancs. Born at Ormskirk.

Remembered with honour

TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

Most of the above information is incorrect:

His first name was "Patrick." His wife was named Mary Murphy. She owned a grocery store in Liverpool.

Mary Murphy Melia, Bill Wilson Collection.

Tower Hill, London, England, where the monument is located. Bill Wilson Collection.

Monument with incorrect first name. Should be Patrick not John.

Contributors:
Bill Wilson (grandson of Patrick Melia)

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