Major Gerald C. Rooney

Regiment: H.M.S. Queen Mary
Panel reference: 18
Date published: 28/07/1916
Killed in action: Yes
Date of death: 31/05/1916
Age at death: 39
Cemetery: Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon, United Kingdom
Information: Major Gerald C. Rooney, R.M.L.I., H.M.S. Queen Mary, was the second son of Colonel and Mrs. Rooney, of Monkstown, County Dublin. Born in 1876, he obtained his first commission in January, 1896, and in 1900 served in the China War, acting as Adjutant to the R.M. Batt. Major Rooney joined the Queen Mary in March, 1914, and was present on the occasion of the visit of The British Squadron to Kronstadt in June of that year. He took part in the battle of Heligoland Bight on August 28, 1914. He was a skilled officer in gunnery, and commanded the Marines on board the Queen Mary, having control of the fore-turret guns. Major Rooney was an artist in water-colours, and a grandson of James Hogan, the celebrated Irish sculptor.