Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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346792   Writer 3rd Class James Gayton Maclean
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 16/06/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: HMS Tipperary, Royal Navy (British Navy)
Date Of Birth: 17/09/1885
Died: 01/06/1916 (Died at Sea)
Age: 30
Summary      
James G MacLean was the son of James and Esther MacLean. James MacLean was born in Moy County Tyrone on 17th September 1885. James at some stage moved to live in Garvagh. He was married to Kathleen MacLean. James was serving as a Writer (3rd class) on HMS Tipperary with the Royal Navy when he was killed in the Battle of Jutland 1 June 1916.
Further Information
James MacLean was the son of James and Esther MacLean. James MacLean and Esther Murdock were married on 28th November 1883 in the district of Newry & Mourne.
James Gayton MacLean was born in Moy, County Tyrone on 17th September 1885. James was the eldest of at least four children, the other three were born in the Newry area.
Royal Navy record
The family had moved to Newry by 1888.
Known family: James MacLean, Esther MacLean, James MacLean (born 17th September 1885, Moy), Gertrude Fanny MacLean (born 16th April 1888, Newry), Esther MacLean (born 10th November 1889, Newry), William MacLean (born 3rd December 1891, Newry).
The 1901 census lists James as age 15, living with the family at house 14 in Hill Street, Newry County Down. James had left school and was working as an apprentice clerk.
James MacLean joined the Royal Navy on 5th May 1904, enlisting for a period of 12 years.
Royal Navy record
Royal Navy record
James MacLean seved on many ships and locations during his time with the Royal Navy,
Royal Navy record
James was serving as a Writer (3rd class) on HMS Tipperary with the Royal Navy when he was killed in the Battle of Jutland 1 June 1916.
HMS Tipperary
HMS Tipperary led the 4th Flotilla at the Battle of Jutland under Captain C. J. Wintour. Tipperary and her squadron pressed home determined torpedo attacks on the German main battle line as it escaped across the rear of the British fleet during the night action, starting at approximately 23:20 on 31 May 1916 . The 4th Flotilla sank the German light cruiser SMS Frauenlob, but Tipperary and many of the other British destroyers were sunk or badly damaged. These engagements took place at such close range that some of Tipperary's squadron were able to hit the German dreadnoughts with their small 4-inch guns, causing casualties that included command officers on the bridges. HMS Tipperary was sunk on 1 June 1916 by 5.9 inch (150 mm) fire from the secondary battery of the German dreadnought SMS Westfalen with the loss of 185 hands from her crew of 197.
Map of Battle of Jutland
Writer (3rd class) James MacLean has no known grave and is commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent, England.
James MacLean is also commemorated on Garvagh War Memorial and also on the Roll of Honour in St Paul's Parish Church (Church of Ireland) in Garvagh.
On page 23 of the book, 'Garvagh & Aghadowey Heroes 1914-18' by Robert Thompson, it states that his mother and father were Esther and James MacLean of Moy and he was born at Moy on 17th September 1885. His father was a land steward to one of the big landowners in County Tyrone. He was married to a Kathleen MacLean.
Garvagh War Dead Book
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Moy Moy Born in Moy 54.449133 -6.705365
GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
28/11/1883 M Murdock Esther Parent M/1883/U1/1968/2/154B
28/11/1883 M MacLean James Parent M/1883/U1/1968/2/154A
17/09/1885 B MacLean James Casualty U/1885/106/1012/7/466
16/04/1888 B MacLean Fanny Sibling U/1888/191/1023/18/38 McClean
10/11/1889 B MacLean Esther Sibling U/1889/191/1023/18/448 McClean
03/12/1891 B MacLean William Sibling U/1892/191/1023/19/474 McClean
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists 'MacLeane' family Lists James as age 15 living with the family at house 14 in Hill Street (Newry North Urban, Down)
2 Book details 'Garvagh & Aghadowey Heroes 1914-18', Robert Thompson
3 Forum discussion Brief details
4 National Archives UK Naval Medal Card can be purchased here
5 Naval History website Details and photo of HMS Tipperary
6 Wikipedia - HMS Tipperary Details of the sinking of HMS Tipperary
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023