In Edinburgh (Seafield) Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of 949505 Trimmer Francis Mullaney, serving on H.M. Trawler Britisher with the Mercantile Marine Reserve who died 18/09/1919.

The son of Mrs. Ellen Mullaney, of Sunderland.

The Aberdeen Press and Journal 08/10/1919 reports that Mr. Mullaney was stabbed by a man who thought he was going to be attacked. This took place at West Pier, Leith, where H.M. steam tug Britisher was lying. Because of his age, the attacker was spared High Court and imprisoned for 18 months.

Liz Mullaney, his great niece, has submitted the following:

This entry would appear to reference my great Uncle who died in Scotland in 1919 whilst serving aboard HM Trawler Britisher.

We know he was stabbed in the heart whilst intervening in a quarrel, about owed money, between two others (crewmates?) and died of his injuries. The other lad involved was William Henry Wright of Richmond Street, Edinburgh who received a suspended sentence. We believe it was all a heat of the moment incident that traumatised all involved, understandably and although crewmates/friends of Francis told his mother that Francis was an innocent bystander who became involved, we have never discovered the full story. Originally from Sunderland we have no record of if his body was returned home or remained in Scotland.

If you come across any other information it would be very interesting to us.

Francis Mullaney is remembered at Sunderland in S140.48 Part 8 page 159 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.