People on board

THOMAS, Robert

Robert Thomas was born in Holyhead in 1883, the second of the twelve children of William Thomas and Elizabeth Williams. He was baptized Robert Thomas Thomas, but he never used the second name. The family lived in Mill Street, then appearing in Rock Street in the 1911 census. Robert was not at home in Holyhead for the 1901 census.

In the 1911 census Robert was living at 20 Rock Street, close to his parents and siblings, but married to Jennie, with two children Margaret and Robert. They declared that they were married three years. Robert gave his occupation as ‘Fireman Trimmer Working on the Mailboat’. It is not known when he began employment with the City of Dublin Steam Packet Co.

He was working as a Greaser on board RMS Leinster on the 10th of October 1918. He did not survive the sinking and his body was not recovered. His name is recorded on the Tower Hill Memorial and on the War Memorial in Holyhead, as well as on a memorial plaque in Hyfrydle Church in the town. He received the Mercantile Marine Medal and the British War medal.

His name is recorded on a family gravestone in Deansgrange cemetery, which includes Charlotte, who died in 1928, and the two children. William was awarded the Mercantile Marine Medal and the British War Medal, and his name is recorded on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.