47777 Pte. Michael Walsh, 15th Sqdn. MGC Cavalry. Accidentally drowned Mesopotamia 9th March 1919

[depaor01]

Hi all,

I'm researching some local casualties for a schoolbook and have come across this man from nearby Rathcoole. He joined in 1916 and served in Mesopotamia and had an unfortunate end there. He was travelling on what I assume was an Inland Waterways-type vessel named in the inquest as S16. While brushing his teeth at the rail of the boat, the vessel hit a bank causing him to be thrown overboard. Despite the efforts of the men and crew who attempted rescue, he went under.

Anyone know of a vessel S16 in Mesopotamia, or where more info could be found - a photo maybe?

I'll be checking our library FindMyPast later today - if there are any news reports out there I'd be grateful for some shortcuts.

Thanks in advance,

Dave

 

[seaJane]

There might be something here: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=S16+mesopotamia+adm&_sd=&_ed=&_hb=

or in Sir Wilfrid Nunn's 'Tigris Gunboats' (I have a copy but can't get to it right now).

Or in here (Hall, L.J. & Hughes, R.H.W. Inland Water Transport in Mesopotamia. London: Constable, 1921). https://archive.org/details/inlandwatertrans00hall

 

[depaor01]

Thanks Jane, much obliged. Strangely no news reports on the incident anywhere. 

I'll give those a go.

Dave