Sligo Stories of World War I - After 100 years a US Naval Service Man finds his way home.
Last week we came to learn for the first time about a young Sligo sailor who died while in the service of the US Navy during World War I.
Through the efforts of his Grand Niece Mary Lehane The name of Francis (Frank) McLoughlin from Sooey - someone we didn’t have in our records - will now appear among the names on the County Sligo World War I Memorial Garden sentinel stones.
Francis (Frank) McLoughlin, (pictured above) was born on 26th February, 1888, at Knocknagee, Sooey, Co. Sligo. He was the youngest of four children, born to John McLoughlin and Bridget McLoughlin nee Rooney. John McLoughlin had four older children born to he and his second wife, Bridget McLoughlin nee Glancy. Francis (Frank) was baptised on 27th February, 1888, at Sooey, in the parish of Riverstown.
Francis McLoughlin arrived in America on May 5th, 1909, aged 21, to live with his brother Bartholomew in Brooklyn. He worked as an electrician and was enlisted in the USNRF, on April 25th, 1918.
He died as a result of contracting the Spanish Flu, on October 26th, 1918. Francis McLoughlin was buried at sea, but his brother Bartholomew erected a memorial headstone to him in Saint Peter's Cemetery, West New Brighton, Richmond County (Staten Island), New York, USA.
Francis McLoughlin never lost his love for his Native Sligo. Through the memory of his niece Frances Gethins-McLoughlin at age 91, and his grand Niece Mary Lehane we are privileged to bring you this short poem he composed
Mary Lehane , grand-niece of Francis McLoughlin writes
“This is a poem that Frances Gethins (McLoughlin) at the age of 91, set down from memory. It was written by Francis (Frank) McLoughlin (uncle of Frances) for his sister Bridget (Bea) Connolly McLoughlin, in New York, circa 1910.
Frances said that there was a copy of it sent home to Knocknagee, Co. Sligo and she remembers reading it often. Frances is my mother and she was named after her uncle Francis (Frank).
Unfortunately Frank McLoughlin never saw his beloved home again. Like so many others, he made the ultimate sacrifice in World War I.
POEM FOR BEA
O sister dear, it is sad to think
that exiles we must roam -
here by the Hudson River
three thousand miles from home.
So far away from that dear spot
so dear to you and me,
our parents and our family,
all friends in dear old Knocknagee.
Our childhood days were happy,
as happy as could be.
But came the day, we had to leave
our home with bitter misery.
The rolling hills and green fields
ghosted with our youthful play.
We left with heavy hearts
and sailed to Amerikay.
Dearest sister Bea,
I whisper softly in your ear,
I am not so lonely
now that you are here.
Morning mists over sweet Knocknagee,
as we lift the latch and step inside,
to a welcome of loving arms,
always waiting there for you and me.
Written by Francis (Frank) McLoughlin (1888 – 1918)
McLOUGHLIN, FRANK JOSEPH, Electrician, 2nd class, USNRF, (brother, Bartholomew McLoughlin, 431 West Forty-4th Street, New York, N Y; enlisted New York, N Y April 25, 1918), New York, N Y, Respiratory disease. (World War 1 buried at Sea UNITED STATES NAVY and COAST GUARD CASUALTIES)
Francis (Frank) McLaughlins US Navy Registration Card.
Lest Sligo Forgets is most thankful to Mary Lehane for bringing Francis McLoughlin to our attention and for her help in putting todays Sligo Stories of World War I together.
We are delighted that we now have the opportunity to include Francis under the town-land of Sooey on one of the eight sentinel stones that will comprise the centrepiece of the County Sligo World War I Memorial Garden.
Our list of people lost to Sligo in World War I continues to evolve. From 605 commemorated names we had for Armistice Day 2018, our roll for the memorial garden is now approaching 620. If you are aware of someone from Sligo who died in World War I and they are not on our list please get in touch with us, with whatever information and details you may have.
It is through this process that we learned about Francis McLoughlin through his grand-niece Mary Lehane.
Addendum: Francis is remembered on this plaque in Hero Park, Staten Island New York.