Mr. Thomas Malone, Able-Bodied Seaman

Thomas Malone (1859 – 1915), 60, was a British subject who was an able-bodied seaman who worked for the deck department of the Lusitania on the ship’s last voyage. Malone died when the ship was torpedoed by the German submarine U-20 on 7 May 1915. His body was not recovered or identified.

Biography


Thomas Malone was born at Liverpool, Lancashire, in 1859, the son of Thomas and Martha Malone.  He was married to Mary Malone, and in 1915, he resided at 132. Burlington Street, Liverpool.

He engaged as an able seaman in the Deck Department on board theLusitania at Liverpool on 12th April 1915, at a monthly rate of pay of £5-10s-0d., £5.50p., £1-10-0d (£1.50p.,) of which was advanced to him at the time.  He reported for duty on board the vessel on which he had previously served, at 7 a.m. on 17 April, in time for her last exit from the River Mersey.

Three weeks later, having served on her voyage to New York, he was killed when she was torpedoed and sunk on the afternoon of 7th May by the submarine U-20.  At that time, The Lusitania was twelve miles off the coast of southern Ireland and only hours away from her destination.  Thomas Malone was aged 56 years.

As his body was never found and identified afterwards, he is commemorated on the Mercantile Marine War Memorial at Tower Hill, London.

In August 1915, his family was given the balance of wages owed to him for the Lusitania’s last ever voyage.  This was in respect of his service from 17 April 1915 until 8 May – 24 hours after the vessel had foundered.

Links of interest


Thomas Malone at the Merseyside Maritime Museum

Contributors
Peter Kelly, Ireland
Ellie Moffat, UK

References
1881 English Census

1901 English Census

Commonwealth War Grave Commission

Cunard Records

PRO BT 100/345

PRO BT 334

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