08/06/2020 |
Patrick Overend was the son of John Overend and Maggie McIlkennon. Patrick was born in Bellaghy on 17th March 1901. |
08/06/2020 |
Patrick enlisted under his mother’s name as Patrick McIlkennon on 28th January 1918. He gave his address as St Columba’s Industrial School in Killybegs, which is in County Donegal. |
08/06/2020 |
On 1st March 1918 he was despatched to Devonport Depot on retention at Killybegs to train as Signal Boy. |
08/06/2020 |
Patrick was found drowned near the wall of Fountain Lake, Portsmouth Dockyard. Death was due to suffocation following immersion. |
08/06/2020 |
The 1901 census lists Patrick as a baby, living with his unmarried mother at house 5 in Drumanee Lower, Bellaghy, County Londonderry. |
08/05/2018 |
Deck Hand Patrick McIlkennon was with HMS Victory with the Royal Naval Reserve when he died on 19th December 1919. |
08/05/2018 |
Many thanks to Wesley Wright of the Friends of the Somme (Mid Ulster Branch) for the discovery and research. |
08/05/2018 |
Deck Hand Patrick McIlkennon is buried in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery on the outskirts of Plymouth. |
08/05/2018 |
His next of kin was listed as Miss Brigid Harte who was living at Cornstalk, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim. |