Item 246: Letter from Mary Garry concerning Drs. Joseph Garry and James McDermott, Jane Hogan and William Hendry, dated 26 January 1916

Shanahea
Ennis
Co Clare
Ireland
26/1/16

My dear Mrs. Prichard

Many thanks for your very kind letter with enclo. addresses. I got a reply from Miss Hogan who was a 3rd class passenger on the ill-fated Lusitania. She never remembered seeing your son during the voyage or on the fatal day. I would have replied sooner but was hoping to get a better Photo of my darling boy. I don’t know if he was in uniform as we never inquired from Mr. Hendry. Probably he was, I enclose the only snapshot that was taken of him the evening before he sailed. I also enclose a small photo which was taken from a large one in which he wore the gown at the time his degrees were conferred on him. I would be ever so thankful for any little news of him. I have written to the addresses you so kindly sent me & hope to hear some news.

I gave your letter to my son Dr. Michael, it got mislaid. I hadn’t your address I hope this address will find you. My son did not go to Queenstown until Monday eve. We were hoping against hope that we would hear some news of my darling boy. He remained 4 days & could see no trace of his dear brother. My dear boy had a gold watch on him with his initials J. G. We never heard anything of him since.

The poor fellow intended coming home to see us before going to Serbia, as he intended either joining the R.A.M.C. [Royal Army Medical Corps] What a consolation Mrs. McDermott has in knowing that her dear boy’s body was found. We heard he was four hours in an upturned boat. It was awfully sad that he wasn’t saved. Doctor Capt. McDermott writes to my son he is expecting compensation from the Cunard Co for the loss of his son as he was one of the crew. My husband is also communicating with them re the loss of one dear boy. It isn’t easy get[ting] anything from them from what one can learn they are to blame for the lives of all that were lost. No money could compensate a mother for the loss of her loving son.

With kindest regards
Yours v. sincerely
M. Garry

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