Lost on HMS Queen Mary, Peter Larkin was the son of woodyard labourer Peter and his wife Margaret who had both been born in Ireland. He was born on 3rd February 1879 in West Hartlepool and was one of at least 7 children.
The family lived in Florence St Longhill, West Hartlepool in 1881 and 1891 but by 1901, Peter senior was a widow and living with his daughter Mary Ellen and her family.
In 1903, Peter Larkin married Newcastle born Elizabeth Donnelly in Hartlepool and in 1911 he was a striker in the blast furnaces living in Bramley Street,Longhill, West Hartlepool with his wife and two young children.
On 31st May 1916, Peter was a stoker on board HMS Queen Mary,the last battle cruiser built for the Royal Navy before the 1st War. He was a stoker and the ship was taking part in the Battle of Jutland when it was hit twice by the German battle cruiser Derfflinger causing it to explode.
His wife was informed of his death and he is remembered on the Chatham war Memorial.
