Robin Jones Sick Berth Attendant, (Ch) M 5521

Robin was born to Richard and Elizabeth (Hookham) on September 23rd 1894, along with his twin sister Dorothy and they were both baptised on November 11th 1894 at Holy Trinity Church, Oxford.  They had an older brother Archie and by  the 1901 census also had a younger brother Cecil, the whole family living at 27 St Mary’s Road, Cowley St John, Oxfordshire.

Robin signed up for 12 years service to the Royal Navy from High School, on 30th January 1913.  He briefly stayed at HMS PEMBROKE I for a week before being transferred to Chatham Hospital for the remainder of his training.  He rose to Sick Berth Attendant rating a year later and remained in Kent until the outbreak of war.  He was posted to the Battleship HMS VANGUARD on 3rd August 1914 where he remained, aboard during the Battle of Jutland and present when the ship fatally exploded.

He was recorded as being 5’5” tall, with brown hair, blue eyes and had a fair complexion.

Following his death, his mother was awarded his Star, Victory and British war medals along with his pension.

He is remembered on a local memorial within St Mary & John Church, Cowley, as well as on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

# 318- 454/843

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915

Oxfordshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1915

1901 England 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: 1029

British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War.; Class: ADM 242; Piece: Piece 008; Piece Description: Piece 008 (1914 - 1919)

CWGC Register

Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972

World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 112/0512/JON-JON

Battle of Jutland Crew Lists, 1916 Battle of Jutland Crew Lists Project; Jutland Crew Lists Sheets; URL: https://www.jutlandcrewlists.org/jcl-sheets

Photo - Oxford Journal Illustrated Aug 1917