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He was 19 and served in the Royal Australian Navy on H.M.A.S. "Sydney" (H.M.S. "Laurentic"). He was the son of James and Annie J. Sheedy, of Ocean View Hospital, Solomon St., Fremantle, Western Australia.

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

Frederick Allen Sheedy was born on 2nd October, 1897 at Adamstown, near Newcastle, New South Wales to parents James and Annie Jane Sheedy (nee Cameron).

James Sheedy, father of Frederick Allen Sheedy, died 21st August, 1908 at Fremantle, Western Australia. 

Frederick Allen Sheedy signed up with the Royal Australian Navy on 20th January, 1913 at the age of 15. He was 5ft 6 in with brown hair, grey eyes, a fair complexion & a scar on the bridge of his nose. His religion was Church of England & his next-of-kin was listed as his mother – Mrs Annie Sheedy, Ocean View Hospital, Solomon St., Fremantle, Western Australia. Frederick Allen Sheedy was given a service number of 2426.

On 20th January, 1913 Boy 2nd Class Frederick Allen Sheedy was sent to Tingira. Tingira was a Training Ship for the Royal Australian Navy permanently moored at Rose Bay, Sydney, NSW. Boy 2nd Class Sheedy was rated Boy 1st Class while still with Tingira on 6th October, 1913.

Boy 1st Class Frederick Allen Sheedy was transferred to H.M.A.S. Sydney on 15th October, 1913.

He was rated Ordinary Seaman II on 2nd October, 1914. Frederick Allen Sheedy’s Naval Record of Service card records that he was involved with the taking of German New Guinea on 11th September, 1914 & on 9th November, 1914 the Sydney-Emden action. An Emden Prize Bounty was paid on 15th December, 1916.

Ordinary Seaman II Frederick Allen Sheedy was rated Ordinary Seaman on 2nd October, 1915 while still with H.M.A.S. Sydney.

He signed on for another 7 years with the Royal Australian Navy on 2nd October, 1915 at the age of 18 years. He was 5ft 8 1/2 in with brown hair, grey eyes, a fair complexion & a scar on the bridge of his nose.

Ordinary Seaman Frederick Allen Sheedy was rated Able Seaman on 1st January, 1916, still with H.M.A.S. Sydney.

From 24th October, 1918 Able Seaman Sheedy was posted to London Depot.

Able Seaman Frederick Allen Sheedy died on 25th January, 1917, perished at Lough Swilly, County Donegal, Ireland whilst on board S.S. Laurentic which had hit a mine in the North Irish Coast. The Naval Record of Service card for Frederick Allen Sheedy states “(drowned) 25. 1. 17 Lost in S.S. “Laurentic” whilst on passage to HMAS “Sydney” from Gunnery School.”         

He was buried in St. Mura’s Church of Ireland Churchyard, Upper Fahan, County Donegal, Ireland & his death is acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Newspaper article – Northern Whig, Belfast, Northern Ireland – 1 February, 1917:

FUNERAL OF SIXTY-NINE VICTIMS
Impressive Scenes

Yesterday the funeral of sixty-nine victims of the lost Laurentic took place to a little wayside churchyard of a Northern Irish coast village. The funeral procession commenced at eleven o’clock from the port at which the survivors and victims were first landed, the distance to the place of interment being some four miles. At the head of the procession marched a detachment of Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, with arms reversed, and as they slowly marched the band of the Inniskillings played the Dead March in “Saul.” Behind the band came two motor ambulances, containing the remains of the three dead officers enclosed in oak coffins with brass mounting and enveloped in Union Jacks, with beautiful floral tributes on top. Then followed twelve Army Service Corps wagons, each containing a number of coffins, on all of which were placed Union Jacks and numerous wreaths. Immediately after the remains of the victims walked the 120 survivors, officers and men, with the exception of the captain, who has gone to England. The men were dressed in the clothing which had been provided for them by the Mayor of the neighbouring borough when they were landed after the sinking of their vessel, and some of them were still looking as if they had not quite fully recovered from the effects of their terrible ordeal. Following them came the Mayor and Mayoress (who did so much for the comfort of the survivors), The Admiral in charge of the district, the officers of the naval and military staffs, representatives of local and district public bodies, coastguards, and police. Large crowds of people lined the route, and as the cortege passed they reverently uncovered their heads in honour of the brave departed. When the band had finished playing the solemn music of the Dead March the pipers commenced a Highland lament.

At the churchyard a detachment of blue-jackets met the cortege, and the coffins were placed in a huge grave, which troops from a neighbouring camp had been engaged in making for the last couple of days, part of the grave being set aside for the three officers. Along one side of the huge grave was a detachment of troops, with their hands resting on the butts of their rifles. Close by were the naval and military officers of the district, and on the other side were the surviving officers and crew of the Laurentic, as well as a number of other bluejackets, while there was also present a large number of the general public, the scene at the graveside being a most impressive spectacle.

The three Church of Ireland clergymen read the burial service, and when they had concluded two ministers of the Presbyterian Church rad a portion of Scripture and said several prayers. Then two Roman Catholic priests read the prayers for the dead, each burial service of course being separate and distinct. When this had concluded the band of the Inniskillings played “When our heads are bowed with woe,” the troops joining in the singing of this beautiful hymn of Dean Millman. The firing party discharged a volley, and afterwards the band played the first verse of “Peace, Perfect Peace.” This was followed by another volley, and again the band play, this time the second verse of “Peace, Perfect Peace,” while after the third volley they played the last verse of this hymn. The firing party, having fixed bayonets, presented arms, and the band played “The Last Post.”

Many beautiful tributes were sent by the surviving officers and men of the Laurentic, the naval and military officers of the district, the troops of the district, the officers and crews of the ships of the port, and a number of leading people of the district. One wreath bore the inscription:- “In loving memory of our fallen shipmates; from four who are left to carry on.”  Others were:- “To the undying memory of the officers and men of the Laurentic who perished, January __,” and “All honour to the brave who are no more.” 

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/fahan.html