6th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
06/09/1888
Died:
10/10/1918 (Died at Sea)
Age:
30
Summary
George Lutton was the son of George and Eliza Lutton. He was born on the Armagh side of the River Blackwater, near Moy, on 6th September 1888. Hi mother died when he was seven. George and the family lived in Canary, Tullyroan, County Armagh. George Lutton volunteered at the outbreak of war, joining the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was transferred to the Royal Munster Fusiliers. Private Lutton had been invalided home in September 1918. He was returning to England on the R.M.S. Leinster. Just a month before the war ended, on 10th October 1918, the ship was torpedoed and sank. Private George Lutton is buried in Kirk Patrick (Holy Trinity) Churchyard on the Isle of Man.
Further Information
George Lutton was the son of George and Eliza Lutton. George Lutton and Eliza Murray were married on 11th May 1882 in the district of Dungannon.
George was born on the Armagh side of the River Blackwater, near Moy, on 6th September 1888). He was one of seven children, four surviving, all born in the Loughgall area.
Known family: George Lutton, Eliza Lutton, Unnamed son (born 19th March 1883, died 19th March 1883), John Lutton (born 16th April 1884, twin), Mary Ann Lutton (born 16th April 1884, twin), Jane Lutton (born 1st March 1886, died 1st March 1886), Amelia Lutton (born 22nd March 1887, died 12th July 1887), George Lutton (born 6th September 1888), William Lutton (born 3rd February 1891)
George’s mother, Eliza Lutton, died in the Loughgall area on 5th September 1895, aged 30. George was seven years old.
The 1901 census records George as 11 years old. His father worked as an agricultural labourer. George was still at school. George and the family lived with his father and uncle in Canary, Tullyroan, Armagh. Canary is close to the Argory, Dungannon, County Tyrone.
The 1911 census shows George no longer lived with the family in Canary, Tullyroan, County Armagh.
George Lutton volunteered at the outbreak of war, joining the 7th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and being afterwards transferred to the Royal Munster Fusiliers.
Private George Lutton arrived in the Balkans with the Royal Munster Fusiliers on 9th July 1915.
Private George Lutton took part in the Suvla Bay landing and the Serbian retreat. In fact he had served through most of the war.
1918
1918
Private Lutton had been invalided home in September 1918. He was returning to England to be finally discharged, and had gone on board the ill fated R.M.S. Leinster.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated 9th October 1918:
While talking of peace on the one hand on the other, the Germans continue their brutal submarine attacks on defenceless boats, the latest being that of the Dublin Steampacket Company's Royal Mail Steamer Leinster (RMS Leinster), which was sent to the bottom with the loss of about 500 men, women and children as she sailed from Kingstown to Holyhead in broad daylight on Thursday. She was struck by two torpedoes, and sank in twelve minutes. It was impossible in that short time to launch many of the boats, and most of the casualties were due to boats that got out, overturning. The survivors numbering about 200 together with numerous dead bodies were brought back to Kingstown, during the afternoon, and the scenes witnessed at the harbour where relatives eagerly sought news of their loved ones were beyond description.
Private George Lutton was with the 6th Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers when he drowned on 10th October 1918, aged 32. He was on board RMS Leinster.
Just a month before the war ended, on 10th October 1918, the R.M.S. Leinster, a city of Dublin Steam Packet Company ship, was torpedoed by German Submarine UB 123, having just left Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) for England. 501 of the 771 people on board died, including crew, postal workers, civilians, Voluntary Aid Nurses and eight Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Many were Irish men and women returning from leave.
Private George Lutton was with the 6th Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers when he drowned, aged 28.
Many bodies from the ship washed up on the shore of the Isle of Man. George Lutton was one of only 11 who could be identified.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 7 November 1918:
It has now transpired that Pte George Lutton of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, who belongs to Canary Moy perished in the Leinster disaster. This soldier had volunteered at the out break of war, joining the 7th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and being afterwards transferred to the Royal Munster Fusiliers. He had taken part in the Suvla Bay landing and the Serbian retreat, and had been invalided home in September last. He was returning to England to be finally discharged, and had gone on board the ill fated Leinster. His relatives did not know he was crossing by Kingstown and no concern was felt about him until the War Office made enquires about him. His relatives have now received intimation from the War Office that he must have perished in the disaster.
George was not the only local man on this ship. Colin Campbell and his family also perished.
His relatives did not know he was crossing by Kingstown and no concern was felt about him until the War Office made enquires about him. His relatives have now received intimation from the War Office that he must have perished in the disaster.
Last Will and Testament
George Lutton made his last will and testament in which he left his property and effects to his brother and sister; half to John Lutton, Seylocan, Moy, County Tyrone and half to Mary A Colgan, Canary Moy, County Armagh, Ireland.
Last Will and Testament of Private George Lutton dated 7th August 1915:
In the event of my death, I give the half of my effects to John Lutton, Seylocan, Moy, County Tyrone and I leave the other half to Mary A Colgan, Canary, Moy, County Armagh. Signed Private George Lutton, 7th Royal Munster Fusiliers.
Memorials
Private George Lutton is buried in Kirk Patrick (Holy Trinity) Churchyard on the Isle of Man.
George’s sister, Mary Anne Colgan, photographed at the original headstone on Isle of Man.
Private George Lutton is commemorated locally on Moy War Memorial.
Books
The book "Torpedoed!: The RMS Leinster Disaster" by Philip Lecane mentions Lieutenant Commander Campbell.
The book "Death in the Irish Sea : The sinking of the RMS Leinster" by Roy Stokes
