Mr. Patrick Melia, Greaser

Patrick Melia
image:  Bill Wilson Collection

Patrick Melia, 52, was born in Liverpool, England in 1863 to Patrick and Mary Melia. He was married to Mary Ann Melia, nee Murphy. They lived at 15 Rockbrook Street, Liverpool. His parents came from Ireland and the family name was then “O’Melia.” During those days the English Government frowned upon an “O” preceding any surname. So those families who wanted into England were told that it would be best to remove the O. According to Irish lore this act was called “drinking the soup.” Simply put, leave the O or things could be uncomfortable in your new home.

Family researcher Bill Wilson spent many years of searching for the truth regarding his grandfather Patrick and received much help from his cousin George Hunter, who resides in England, for all his help.

On the docks of Liverpool, Patrick Melia’s nickname was “Patty Cooper” due to the fact he was a barrel maker and mender prior to becoming a “greaser”, now known as a “stoker.”  His main ship was the Mauretania which he made many voyages on prior to signing on to the Lusitania.  As far as his family knows, Melia shipped out on the Lusitania only one time, and that was in 1915 when it was sunk by the Germans, leading to his death.

Ironically, Melia was slated to sail on the Titanic during that liner’s maiden and final voyage, but illness prevented him going and spared his life.  The local pub put on a celebration for the good fortune of this “most lucky fellow.”

Melia took the assignment on the Lusitania because the pay was more due to the fact the Germans had threatened several times that they were going to sink the Lusitania, a belligerent ship.

Patrick signed on to the Lusitania as Fireman “James Casey.” Why remains a family mystery. Wilson supposes that it could have been as a result of Cunard punishing him for a  rule infraction. This infraction could have subjected him to a suspension of some sort, requiring him to sign on under an assumed name to work and support his family.

Fireman Patrick Melia was probably in the boiler or engine rooms when the Lusitania was attacked. His remains were never found. He is commemorated on the Mercantile Marine Memorial at Tower Hill London. His name is depicted on the Memorial as “James O’Mealie.” This is incorrect, as it should be Patrick Melia.

After it was determined by the Government that “James Casey” was really Patrick Melia, the balance of wages owing to Fireman Melia were paid to his widow Mary Ann Melia by the Cunard Steam Ship Company.  In addition, the Liverpool And London War Risks Insurance Association Limited granted her a yearly pension.  Their records correctly show the surname of “Melia.” The records of the Commonwealth War Grave Commision “incorrectly” spell the surname as “O’Mealie.”

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists the following information on greaser Patrick Melia:

S.S. “Lusitania” (Liverpool), Mercantile Marine who died aged 50 on Friday, 7th May 1915.

Greaser Melia was the son of the late Patrick and Margaret Melia; husband of Mary Ann Melia (nee Faulkner), of 4, Argo Rd., Waterloo, Lancs.  Born at Ormskirk.

Remembered with honour

TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

Most of the above information is incorrect:

His first name was “Patrick.”  His wife was named Mary Murphy.  She owned a grocery store in Liverpool.

Mary Murphy Melia Mary Murphy Melia, Bill Wilson Collection.


Tower Hill, London, England, where the monument is located.  Bill Wilson Collection.

Patrick MeliaMonument that reads “O’Mealie, J., served as Casey, P.”

Contributors:
George Hunter
Bill Wilson (grandson of Patrick Melia)

18 thoughts on “Mr. Patrick Melia, Greaser”

  1. I never got to meet any of my grandparents. I did serve in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1953. Two of my four years in the Air Force I was sent to the UK. So, I got to meet some of my cousins and aunts. It was a great experience for me and I will never ever forget it. This is a wonderful site and I pray it goes on forever.

    Bill Wilson
    Grandson of Patrick Melia

  2. Hi bill,

    I am the daughter of william joseph hunter who was also the grandson of patrick melia.
    My dad spoke of him often throughout his whole life and I am overwhelmed with joy to see a picture of the man he was so proud to call grandad. He was always sad about not getting the chance to meet his grandad and his dying wish was to go to ireland to visit his grave but we did not know he was never found. Did he ever visit your family in New York? I love the pictures I’ve noticed a lot of resemblance between patrick and my dad.

    Thank you for this website an the pictures and information about the family, I can now put a face to the man that was spoke about so much.

    Love karen x

  3. Hi Bill my name is Lily i am karens sister i would have been 12 months old when you were in England maybe you remember me ha ha .Ihave known about auntie katy from a very early age i can remember receiving a dress and patent leather shoes when i was about 5 years old and was told they were a present from auntie katy in America so pleased to see the pictures of great grandad and grandmar just wish my dad could have see them if you want to email me my email is Lillian Johnson 225 @bt internet .com hope to hear from you soon lots of love lily

  4. Hi, Lilly
    You will hear from me very shortly. I do remember seeing some babies while I was visiting. So, it’s very likely you were on the scene. And if I say I remember you, well that may a bit of a stretch. Love, Cuz Bill.

  5. my name is dave wissett .john melia was my great grandfather.its the first time that I have seen a picture of hime.my grand mother was mary hunter,nee melia.

  6. Hello bill hope your keeping well I have just been taking a look at your website again and thought that I would let you know I am trying to get grandad paddy story in to the maritime museum they are having a hundred year anniversary for the sinking of lusitania next year 2015 so I thought I could show them your website and all so my brother has still got his ships papers what my dad kept for years it shows all the ships he sailed on i was wondering if you had any photos of your mum and her sisters when they where younger anyway bill I. Will let you know how it goes with the museum. Take care love karen.

  8. Thank you, for updating the information regarding my grandfather Patrick Melia. There still remains some mystery here but now most of the the information is correct.

  9. Hello Bill,
    I was talking to my brother about the Lusitania and he said my Great-grandfather was killed when it was sunk So I checked the web site and found your posting. My father was Patrick John Hunter the son of Mary Hunter(Nee) Melia.
    My father often mentioned Auntie Katie who lived in New York, and my mother and aunt visited her in 1964 when they stopped over en route to Toledo Ohio.
    Regards
    Bill Hunter

    • Your brother George has been most helpful in getting the correct facts regarding grandfather Patrick. What is your e-mail address so i can keep in touch with you? As you can see the information on grandfather Patrick is not 100 per cent correct. I sent them the corrections a few months ago and I hope they get around to setting it right soon.

  13. Hello to anyone who sees this! I’m Stephanie Wilson, I am Bill Wilson’s great niece. (Martin Wilson, Bill’s brother, is my grandfather, Patrick Melia’s grandson.) I am currently taking a class on WWII and we touched lightly on WWI and the Lusitania.

    Thank you, Uncle Bull for keeping this updated! I have shared it with my class and they’ve found it fascinating!

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