Pioneer Patrick Duggan
| Date of Birth | 15/02/1884 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 33 |
| Date of Death | 16/02/1917 |
| Service Number | 60708 |
| Military Service | Royal Engineers 76th Field company |
| Merton Address | |
| Local Memorial | Morden Cemetery |
Additional Information
Patrick was born on 15th February 1884 and was the 3rd of four children for parents Patrick (snr), an Irish Labourer/bricklayer and Jane (nee Littlechild).
In 1890 at the age of six, Patrick and his brother Jeremiah aged 8 were both registered as new pupils at Somerford Street School in Bethnal Green. Their home address was listed as 5 Key Street, Bethnal Green. The 1891 census listed the same address for the family, along with the four children: Mary aged 8, Jeremiah 8, Patrick 7 and Henry aged 3.
Tragically, Patrick’s father aged about 50 and sister Mary aged 15 both died in the first quarter of 1896 and Patrick’s mother Jane was admitted to Cane Hill Asylum in 1899 where she remained until her death in March 1923.
By 1901 Patrick now aged 17 and working as a labourer was living with his aunt and uncle, Anne and Timothy Duggan and their family along with his younger brother Henry in Mile End.
By 1903 Patrick had taken up the occupation as a carman.
On 24th February he married Amy Rowland at St. John Church in Limehouse, Tower Hamlets. His occupation was listed as a carman.
Patrick and Amy’s first child, born the following month was named Amy. The couple had made their home at 123 Ernest Street, Mile End. Their second child named Patrick was born in November 1908.
By 1911 Patrick and his wife Amy were living in two rooms at 11 Dupont Street in Limehouse. Patrick listed his occupation as a carman to a general carrier. Also living at this property was Amy’s mother Sarah Rowland and two of her youngest children, plus two other relatives occupying four rooms. Patrick and Amy had a further child named Henry born in January 1912.
Patrick enlisted in Stratford East London on 23 January 1915, as a Driver with the Royal Engineers. His official rank was that of a Pioneer. (A Pioneer and a Sapper were the equivalent of a Private in the infantry. The difference between the two being that a Sapper held an army recognized trade qualification, whereas a Pioneer did not.) He appears to have enlisted just 2 months prior to the birth of his fourth child named George, who was born on the 18th March.
On enlisting Patrick's distinctive marks included a Tattoo on his left forearm “ILAR” True Love. I imagine this to mean I Love Amy Rowland.
He embarked on 23 August 1915 and served in France till 22 Nov 1916. He then returned home to England due to the lung problem Tuberculosis and spent time in Belmont Sanatorium. He appeared before an Army medical Board 14th December 1916 deemed no longer physically fit for war service.
He was discharged from hospital 4 Jan 1917 and stated he was looking for light work in the Stepney area.
He died the following month on 16th February 1917, a day after his 33rd birthday. Patrick was buried in Morden Cemetery Garth Road and his name also appears on a stone memorial cross in the churchyard.