Stoker Ian Robert McCready (LT/KX 115483) served in the Royal Naval Patrol Service during World War Two. Born on 21st February 1911, he was the son of Thomas McCready and Annie McCready of Moyallan, Co. Armagh, and the husband of Theresa Mary Ann McCready (née McKeown) of Lurgan, Co. Armagh.
McCready attended Lurgan College, Lurgan, Co. Armagh between 4th September 1923 and 30th April 1924 before transferring to Lurgan High School. He was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal, the second-highest gallantry award available to a Naval rating. At the time, he served on HM Trawler Lady Shirley.
Stoker McCready died on HM Trawler Lady Shirley on 11th December 1941 aged 30 years old. Norman Mitchell, also from Lurgan, Co. Armagh also died as a result of the trawler’s loss. At around 0345hrs, the Captain of trawler St. Nectan observed Lady Shirley enter a rain squall that lasted for around 25 minutes. At 0410hrs, the trawler had vanished. There is no evidence to suggest a U-Boat sank the Royal Navy vessel.
Ian Robert McCready has no known grave. His name is on Panel 7, Column 1 of the Lowestoft Naval Memorial, Suffolk. His name is on the Lurgan War Memorial, Lurgan, Co. Armagh and the school memorial at Lurgan College, Lurgan, Co. Armagh.