Person

Robert Ersham Matthews was born in Stockton-on-Tees on 16 Apr 1898. His father was Ersham John Matthews a leather currier originally from Great Cressingham, Norfolk. His mother was Milcah “Millie” Matthews nee Cooper (1867-1948) from Jarrow. Robert had three sisters and one brother. In 1901 the family lived at 18 Gayles Street, Stockton-on-Tees and in 1911 were living at 31 St Bernard’s Road, Stockton-on-Tees.

Robert joined the Royal Navy as a boy 2nd class on 20 September 1913. He was given the service number J27556. His intention was to serve for 12 years from the date of his 18th birthday. He was 15 years five months and five days old when he joined. He was five feet eight and a half inches tall with a 33 inch chest. He had brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion.

Robert travelled to HMS Ganges in Shotley, Suffolk for his initial training that lasted just under one year. He was promoted to boy 1st class while he was there on 1 May 1914. On 20 August 1914 he joined the crew of HMS Royal Arthur which was a guard ship at Scapa Flow, Orkney, Scotland during the early part of the war.

Robert joined the crew of HMS Clan MacNaughton on 11 December 1914. This was a pre-war merchant ship requisitioned by the Royal Navy in November 1914. She was converted to a warship via the addition of guns on deck and sailed for patrol duties in the North Atlantic a few days before Christmas 1914. On the morning of 3 February 1915 she was in radio contact and reported terrible weather conditions off the north west coast of Scotland. Nothing more was ever heard from her and she was lost with all 281 members of her crew.

Robert was seventeen years, nine months and nineteen days old when he died. His body was not recovered for burial. He is honoured nationally on the Chatham Naval Memorial and in Stockton in the Book of Remembrance 1914-18 St Thomas’ Church.

Robert Ersham Matthews was awarded the Star, the Victory Medal and British War Medal for his service in World War One.

Civil Parish: Stockton on Tees

Birth date: 16-Apr-1898

Death date: 03-Feb-1915

Armed force/civilian: Navy

Residence: 18 Gayles Street, Stockton-on-Tees (1901 census)
31 St Bernard’s Road, Stockton-on-Tees (1911census)

Employment: Moulder (1913, Royal Navy service record)

Family: Parents: Ersham John Matthews (1868-1918), Milcah “Millie” Matthews nee Cooper (1867-1948)
Siblings: Herbert, Edith Annie, Milcah, Amy

Military service:

J27566
Boy 2nd class, 20 September 1913
Boy 1st class, 1 May 1913
HMS Ganges, 20 September 1913 - 19 August 1914
HMS Royal Arthur, 20 August 1914 - 30 November 1914
HMS Pembroke I, 1 December 1914 - 10 December 1914
HMS Clan MacNaughton, 11 December 1914 - 3 February 1915

Medal(s): Star
Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Chatham Naval Memorial
Book of Remembrance, 1914-18, St Thomas’ Church, Stockton-on-Tees

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham