Robert was born on 12th March 1899 in Gorey, Ireland to parents Albert and Rebecca
He was aged 2 on the 1901 Ireland census, listed with his grandmother Sofia, his mother, sister and other family members.
Robert left his job as a clerk prior to signing up to the Navy, attached to Devonport and began his training as a Boy 2nd Class on 26th January 1915.
He trained at HMS Impregnable until 30th April 1915 then posted to HMS VANGUARD, his only ship, on 1st May 1915 as a Boy 1st Class and progressed to Ordinary Seaman on his 18th birthday, 12th March 1917. He was present on the dreadnought during the Battle of Jutland.
He was 5'2" tall, had light brown hair, blue eyes and was 18 when he died. He was one of very few crew whose body was found, laid to rest at Lyness Cemetery on Hoy, Orkney. His Star, Victory and British war medals were claimed by his father following his death.
(#148 - 771/843)
Sources:
Ireland, Civil Registration Births Index, 1864-1958
1901 Ireland Census
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188; Piece: 715
Ireland, Casualties of World War I, 1914-1922
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0803
UK and Ireland, Find A Grave Index, 1300s-Current
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 117
Irish Regiments of World War One Facebook page
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