Patricio [Patrick] McCarthy my grand-uncle and his brother Timoteo [Timothy] McCarthy my grand-father, were born in Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1897 and 1895 respectively. The family occupation is listed in the 1895 Irish-Argentinean Census Irlandeses e hiberno-argentinos censados en 1895 en la Provincia de Buenos Aires, TABLA 1V-1, at No 7 - BALCARCE, a) Zona Rural, as a Tambero [Dairy Farmer] see  photos  1  and  2. The McCarthy's are also listed in Doctor Eduardo Coghlan's book on Irish families who had migrated to Argentina. It appears from records that our family had emigrated from Ballyclough in Mallow, Co Cork, to Argentina around the late 1800s on board the Dresden via Queenstown arriving in Buenos Aires on 16th of February 1889. They farmed in Balcarce, an area approximately 20km West of Mar Del Plata in the Province of Buenos Aires. Both Timoteo and Patricio were brought to Ireland in 1905 and ended up in the Sacred Heart Home Drumcondra run by the Sisters of Charity. In 1906 they were sponsored by the St Vincent de Paul Society and sent on to St Vincents Orphanage, Glasnevin in Dublin. Spanish was their spoken language at the time. Later on both went to sea, serving in the catering departments of various national and international shipping lines. Patricio [Patrick] McCarthy had served on the Irish registered fishery protection vessel Fort Rannoch before he lost his life on the Steam Trawler Leukos on the 9th of March of 1940. Timoteo [Timothy] McCarthy served on the Muirchu during 1939 until the handover to the Irish Department of Defence. He also served with distinction on Irish merchant ships throughout world war two and was a great friend of Captain Henrik Kurt Carlsen of the Flying Enterprise. Timoteo [Timothy] McCarthy died at sea in August 1960 and is buried in the catholic cemetery Cimitero Latino Rue De Port Said in Alexandria, Egypt.  

Timoteo McCarthy had three sons and one daughter, my mother. My uncles served on British and Irish vessels throughout the war years. Gerard had been chief steward of the City of Antwerp and had served on other British vessels. He went to live in London where he ran a coffee shop in Blackfriars Bridge tube station until his death. Timothy became chief steward on the Empress of Canada and served on the Ulster Prince and Ulster Queen before coming ashore. Ernest came ashore and worked for the Irish Electricity Board. My family had all served at one time or another on the Irish Fir, City of Antwerp, City of Bremen, Irish Plane, City of Dublin, Irish Willow, Kyleclare, City of Cork, Munster and Leinster. Other sea service includes time with the Bibby Line, Irish Shipping, Liverpool Steamship and Navigation Co, Cunard, P & O, Canadian Pacific, Suttons, B & I, City of Cork Steamship Company, British Rail, Union Castle and Blue Funnel Lines. Patricio, Timoteo and his sons Timothy and Gerard McCarthy were all decorated by the Irish Government for their services to Ireland during 1939-1946. Timoteo's daughter, my mother Evelyn Mulvany nee McCarth, was employed  during world war two in the administration  block of the Royal  Dockyard at Pembroke South Wales. My Father and Mother lived happily in Haverfordwest. He joined the local air raid warden precaution service and she got involved with the local WVS and assisted the ARP engaged in general Duties. Both were Irish nationals born in Dublin. They subsequently moved to Wallasey in Liverpool and worked for Cammell Laird in their dockyard from 1944-45. In 2001, I received on my parents behalf, Four Commemorative medals issued for their UK civilian war service. My mother is deceased since 1998. Her hope had always been to have our families Argentinian heritage vindicated. The presence of his excellency Mr Victor Beauge, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Ireland, at the mercantile marine medal ceremony in Dublin Castle on the 24th of February 2002 was the achievement of that aspiration.In August 1998 while on passage to Dublin for the Tall Ships a section of the crew of the Argentinean Tall Ship Fragata ARA Libertad paid a visit to Foxford in County Mayo, the birthplace of Admiral William Brown, founder of the Argentinean Navy to unveil a  statue dedicated to his achievement. The historical bond that exists between Argentina and Ireland was significantly enhanced through this gesture.

Presentation of  Irish marine valour medal with 3 bars and citation awarded posthumously by the Irish Government to Patricio McCarthy lost as a result of belligerent action, 9th of March 1940 on the Irish steam trawler Leukos to his next of kin, Mr Peter Mulvany. Patricio was the only Argentinean National lost on an Irish registered vessel during world war two. Patricio es el único argentino muerto en un buque irlandés durante la guerra. Presentation of medal with 3 bars by Mr Hugh Byrne TD, Minister of  State for Marine and Natural Resources. Presentation of  citation by his excellency, Mr Victor E Beauge, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Ireland. In his speech the minister highlighted the nautical ties that exist between Ireland and Argentina and paid a special tribute to the role of Admiral William Brown from County Mayo, an Irish citizen, who  founded the Argentine Navy in the 1800s. As a result of this occasion and the marvellous response he received from the Irish people following the visit of the ARA Libertad in 1998, the Ambassador indicated his intention to request his Government to consider inviting an Irish Naval Cadet to be a participant as a member of the crew of the Libertad on one of her voyages. We are honoured that his excellency has been successful in his endeavour. Cadet Alan Flynn of the Irish Naval Service eventually joined  the crew of the Argentinean tall ship Fragata ARA Libertad for a part of her 2003 voyage.

May 2003 - Grand-Admiral William Brown Memorial - Foxford - County Mayo

Please Note: The Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46) is not a member of the steering committee of the Admiral Brown Society. Regretably our association continues to be included in their list of members despite instructions to delete our name. The Webmaster for the Admiral Brown Society has again been notified.

© Peter Mulvany 1986-2008