Richard William Kavanagh. West Derby WW1

[sirim]

I would like to communicate the following information in the hope that it may find its way to the descendents of Richard William Kavanagh of West Derby. He was a Goods Porter for the LNWR at Park Lane Goods Depot before signing on for service as a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery (1st West Lancs). He was discharged from the army on medical grounds (nephritis) in September 1916 and died in December of the same year.
Although his name is recorded in Hall of Remembrance at Liverpool Town Hall (rank incorrectly stated as Private), I applied to the CWGC for an adjudication that he be officially commemorated by them because of the illness sustained during his war service being the cause of death.

I am pleased to advise that after a lengthy war graves adjudication process conducted by the National Army Museum, the CWGC have now confirmed that Gunner Richard Kavanagh qualifies for commemoration as a Commonwealth war casualty.

Extract from the Adjudication Form : -

"Although limited in documentation, Gnr. Kavanagh's service record provides key information regarding his disability and discharge from the army. It is evident that the Medical Board reviewing Gnr. Kavanagh's condition agreed that his nephritis was the result of active service and ultimately led to his discharge in September 1916. The same condition claimed his life in December that year. As his death occurred during the First World War qualifying dates and can be strongly linked to his military service, he qualifies for commemoration by the CWGC."

Here are the essential pieces of family information: -

Richard William Kavanagh, born West Derby Q1 1879, married Frances Hewitt Q3 1900 ... and died at West Derby Q4 1916, aged 37 (Kavanagh Richard W, Vol. 8b Page 506). Ancestry's Liverpool burial records show that he was buried at Yew Tree Cem on 1/1/17 (grave no. 4B274).

On the 1911 census the family were living at 15 Juno Street, West Derby.


First name(s) Last name Relationship to household head Marital condition Gender Age Birth year Birth place Occupation
Richard William Kavanagh Head Married Male 32 1879 Lanc Liverpool Railway Porter

Frances Kavanagh Wife Married Female 29 1882 Lanc Liverpool -

Frances Kavanagh Daughter - Female 10 1901 Lanc Liverpool School

James Joseph Kavanagh Son - Male 7 1904 Lanc Liverpool School

Margaret Kavanagh Daughter - Female 5 1906 Lanc Liverpool School

Georgina Elsie Kavanagh Daughter - Female 2 1909 Lanc Liverpool -

Richard William Kavanagh Son - Male 0 1911 Lanc Liverpool -

Joseph Ashton Boarder Single Male 39 1872 Lanc Wavertree Furniture Porter

With 3 daughters and 2 sons it would seem highly likely that he has a number of descendents who I'm sure would be interested to learn of Richard at last being officially commemorated for giving his life in the service of his country. I hope that a member may be able to assist.

Sirim

[MaryA]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Well done on having his status entered on the CWGC list, this is not always an easy task, we know.

I note that he is also entered on the Roll of Honour at the Liverpool Town Hall.

I am moving this post over to our Military Board because of the subject and content.