Robinson Kirtley Newton (1880-1916)
Stockton man served as a stoker in the Royal Naval Reserve on HMS Falcon
Robinson Kirtley Newton was born on 30 November 1880 (some records suggest his birth year may have been 1879). His father was Thomas Newton (1843-1894), a bricklayer who was born in Sedgefield. His mother was Hannah “Annie” Newton (1840-1903), a shoemaker’s daughter who was born in Yarm, Yorkshire. His parents had ten children, giving Robinson five brothers and four sisters.
The Newton family appear to have been very settled living at 20 Airton Street, Stockton-on-Tees at each of the 1881, 1891 and 1901 censuses. In 1901 Robinson married Elizabeth Thomas in Middlesbrough. She was born in Thornaby-on-Tees and at the time of the 1911 census the family were living at 1 George Street, Thornaby-on-Tees. At this time Robinson was working as a shipyard labourer. The couple had four children between 1904 and 1912; two girls and two boys.
Robinson was a member of the Royal Naval Reserve and on the outbreak of war served as a stoker with the service number 4635S. In 1916 he was a member of the crew of HMS Falcon, a Fairfield three funnel destroyer. Falcon was part of the Dover Patrol during the First World War. Its primary function was to prevent German shipping from using the English Channel to gain access to the Atlantic Ocean. It is reported that on 6 December 1916 Robinson fell overboard and was accidentally drowned. His body was not recovered for burial and he is honoured on the Chatham Naval Memorial and the Cenotaph 1914-18, Thornaby-on-Tees.
Robinson Kirtley Newton was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service in World War One.
Civil Parish: Stockton on Tees
Birth date: 30-Nov-1880
Death date: 06-Dec-1916
Armed force/civilian: Navy
Residence: 20 Airton Street, Stockton-on-Tees (1881, 1891, 1901 censuses)
1 George Street, Thornaby-on-Tees (1911 census)
Employment: Shipyard labourer (1911 census)
Family: Parents: Thomas Newton (1843-1894), Hannah “Annie” Newton nee Kirtley (1840-1903)
Siblings: Mary Ellen Newton (1867), Alfred Newton (1868), James Newton (1870), Mary Louise Newton (1872), Thomas Newton (1874), Harry Newton (1877), Frank Newton (1879), Lizzie Newton (1880), Mary A Newton (1885)
Spouse: Elizabeth Newton nee Thomas (1882)
Children: Annie Newton (1904), Alfred Newton (1907), Ruth Newton (1910), Robinson Newton (1912)
Military service:
4635S
Stoker
Royal Naval Reserve
HMS Falcon
Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
Victory Medal
British War Medal
Memorial(s): Chatham Naval Memorial
Cenotaph 1914-18, Thornaby-on-Tees
Gender: Male
Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham