Robert was born on 2nd November 1893 in Dublin, Ireland to Robert and Jane (Lyghtle). He attended the Grangegorman School in Dublin, aged eight, transferring from the infant school on 15th October 1902.
On the night of the 1911 census he was recorded living at 22 Portland Place North, Dublin with his father and ten siblings. He was working as an apprentice plumber aged sixteen.
He joined the Navy on 5th June 1913 for a 12 year service, previously being employed as a plumber. He was recorded as being 5'4" tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. He was posted for training as a plumber's mate at HMS PEMBROKE ll on 5th June 1913, passing as a plumber on 16th October 1913. His first and only ship posting was to HMS VANGUARD on 31st March 1914. He served aboard during the Battle of Jutland in 1916, and remained with the ship until its explosion in 1917. His pension was awarded to his father following his death.
He is remembered locally on the Drumcondra Church Great War Memorial as well as the Chatham Naval Memorial.
(#129 - 828/843)
Sources:
1911 Ireland Census
Ireland, National School Registers, 1847-1933 National Archives of Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Commissioners for National Education Records
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: 010 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Navy Lists, 1888-1970
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 1146
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: 1030
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 193/1031
United Kingdom, Battle of Jutland Crew Lists, 1916 Battle of Jutland Crew Lists Project; Jutland Crew Lists Sheets; URL: https://www.jutlandcrewlists.org/jcl-sheets
Ireland, Casualties of World War I, 1914-1922
Crew image courtesy of Irish Regiments of WW1 FB page
Memorial image courtesy of www.irishwarmemorials.ie
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