Mr Neal McNamee

Neal McNamee, 27, was born in Ruskey, County Donegal on 29th August, 1884, the son of William McNamee (Farm Labourer) (1) and Catherine (née Gordon).

Neal was working for Liptons at 41, Silver Street, Salisbury when he met Eileen O'Leary.

On 17th January, 1912 they were married in Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church in Pokesdown, Bournemouth. At the time Neal was living very close to the church in Portman Road, Boscombe. He was working as a Provisions dealer for Liptons, Eileen was living in Salisbury.

After a period working for Lipton's at 216 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Neal was offered a position at Lipton Ltd. in America. Sir Thomas Lipton himself wrote a letter of introduction to his General Manager in New York.

Courtesy of the McNamee family

The newlyweds boarded the Titanic at Southampton as third class passengers (ticket number 376566, £16, 2s).

Neal and Eileen McNamee died in the sinking. Neal's body, if recovered, was never identified.

A bench with a plaque and a tree were placed in their memory in Winston Churchill Gardens, Salisbury. The original bench is still there, but void of a plaque. The original tree was destroyed by vandals. On 28 July 1999 a new tree was planted and a new bench and plaque unveiled.

Notes
1. His father was illiterate and instead of signing the birth certificate left a mark (x) instead.

Documents
Birth Certificate (Scan)
General Register Office Certified Copy of an Entry of Marriage (Scan)

References
Contract Ticket List, White Star Line 1912 (National Archives, New York; NRAN-21-SDNYCIVCAS-55[279])
Brian Ticehurst (1989) The Eileen and Neal McNamee Story.

Acknowledgements
The families of Neal and Eileen McNamee
Elizabeth Foyle, UK
Catherine Parker, UK

Contributors
Ian Green, UK
Darlene Heal, Canada
Arthur Merchant, USA
Senan Molony, Ireland
Brian Ticehurst, UK

Travelling Companions (on same ticket)
Mrs Eileen McNamee