Michael McGrath

Biography

Michael was born in 1895 and it is thought may have come from Liverpool. At the time of his death Michael’s half-sister, Sarah Ann Morgan, lived at Cemetery Cottages, 14 Lime Street, Barrow in Furness.

When he was 5 or 6 Michael was sent to the Roman Catholic Boys’ School at Preston where he remained until he was 14 years of age. His time at Preston was paid for by the Poor Law Authorities at Barrow. When he left Preston he went to the employment of Mrs. Bindloss at Kendal where he became a farm labourer for the Bindloss family at Higher House Farm. For an unknown period, Michael also lived in Burton.

Service Record

Michael enlisted in the army at the age of 20 on the 11th November 1915. His address at the time was given as New House, Over Kellet near Carnforth. His height was given as five feet eight inches and a chest measurement of thirty-seven and half inches. The attestation papers indicated he was to join the Royal Fusiliers. There is no indication of his movements in 1916 or why the change of unit.

In 1917 he was in the Machine Gun Corps as 30414 Private (Driver) Michael McGrath. In September 1917 he was stopped 3 days pay for being absent from parade and another 3 days pay for being improperly dressed on parade though he was granted 10 days leave in the same month.

In April 1918 he was deducted 7 days pay for not getting out of bed. In May he was in hospital for a week.

How They Died

In October 1918 he was granted leave. He arrived at the Bindloss House and on the 26th Mrs. Bindloss wrote a sharp letter to the military authorities saying that Michael was so ill that she had called a doctor. She told the military authorities that he should not have been allowed to travel unaided.

Michael died of pneumonia on the 8th November aged 23 and it was confirmed to the army that Michael had died in the Bindloss home.

Where They Rest

Arrangements were made for him to be buried in St. Mark’s Churchyard. This happened with Michael being placed next to Bindloss family graves. The interment took place with full military honours, a firing party being provided by the Carlisle Garrison. The last post was sounded by a bugler.