- THE MUSKEGON DAILY CHRONICLE
Thursday October 28 1920
Coxswain Mclaren U.S. Navy Met Death by Accident Is Word Sent to Parent; Body to Arrive Soon.
That Coxswain Thomas A. Mclaren died as the result of inuries suffered while he was driving at Clavile? Philippine Islands, September 12, was the word recieved by the Mrr. and Mrs. A. J. Mclaren, W. Muskegon Avenue, parents of the young man. Coxswain Mclaren who had been in the Navy since April 1917. Was on his way home at the time of the accident, having been transferred friom the US S. Pa,panga, stationed in eastern waters, to the US S Newport Nows. He would have been released from the service in Jan. 1921.
According to the word recieved by Mr and Mrs Mclare from Lieutenant Commander L. M. Edolman., Commander of Newport News, Coxswain Mclaren struck some object in the water while making a dive. The force with which he struck the object resulted in the young man's neck being broken. It is believed as he never regained conscientiousnes and died 35 minutes later.
Another member of the family William J Mclaren, enlisted in the army in the spring of 1919 and is now stationed in Manila. The two brothers had nt seen eachother for several years but according to a letter recieved from William, they had met a few days before the accident in Manila.
Coxswain Mclaren was formerly a member of Company G , Michigan National Guard, of this city. He accompanied the outfit to the Mexican border in 1916, and upon the expiration of his enlistment was released. When the war with Germany opened, he joined the Navy. Coxswain Mclaren was 23 years of age at the time of his death, and would have been 24 years old on October 20.
The following Exract is taken from Commander Edelman's letter, regarding the coxswain's conduct aboard ship:
"Your son was attatched to this ship only a short while, in fact to be transported home to the United States; but even during this time, in his jovial disposition, his general good-heartedness and the very efficient manner in which he performed his duty mad him consicuous and envied. In his demise we feel that we have lost a sincereship-mate while you, his mother, must feel the loss dar greater, I wish it to be known that every heart on board this ship is a sad one tonight. Permit me, Mrs Mclaren, in the name of the officers and crew of this vessell, to extend to you our heartfelt sympathy and condolence in the sudden and untiely loss of your esteemed son." Coxswain Mclaren leaves parents Mr and Mrs A J Mclaren; hid brother, William J stationed at Manila; and two sisters, Mrs Edward Vanderlaan, 84 Isabella Street, and Helen at home. It is believed that the body will arrive in Muskegon in a few days for burial, having been shipped from San Francisco, October 26. In the last 32 months Mr Mclaren has lost one son, one daughter, and two brothers.
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Abt 1897 - 1920 (~ 23 years)
