Person

Robert John Terrell was born in South Shields on 28 June 1873. His father was master mariner Captain Henry Terrell (1842-1908) originally from Northwood, Middlesex. His mother was Sara Ann Terrell nee Appleby (1846-1890), a shipwright’s daughter from Sunderland. Robert’s parents married in Sunderland in 1865 and are known to have had at least four children. Robert was the youngest of these children with two older sisters and an older brother. In 1881 the Terrell family were living at 38 Alice Street, South Shields. Robert’s mother died in 1890. His family were living at 125 Frederick Street, South Shields at the time of the 1891 census but Robert is not present, perhaps because he was away working at sea.

Robert married Jane Terrell nee Cosgrove (1871-1933) in South Shields in 1896. She was a local boiler labourer’s daughter. At the time of the 1901 census the family were living at 38 Bedford Street, South Shields and had had a son named Alfred. Robert was working as a seaman in the merchant service. It was also recorded that he was in the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR). By the time of the 1911 census two daughters and another son had been born. The family were living at 61 John Williamson Street, South Shields and Robert was still working as a seaman.

As a member of the RNR Robert was called up for active service on the outbreak of war. He served as a leading deck hand with the service number 1593/D. On 20 July 1917 he was serving on HM Trawler Robert Smith which was on patrol in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Lewis, Scotland when it was sunk. The exact cause of this is unknown but the trawler probably floundered or was sunk by a German submarine. All 25 hands on board were lost. Robert’s body was not recovered for burial and he is honoured on the Chatham Naval memorial. He is remembered on the Street Memorial 1914-18, John Williamson Street, South Shields and on the Roll of Honour 1914-18 Holy Trinity Church, South Shields.

Robert John Terrell was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service in World War One.

Civil Parish: South Shields

Birth date: 28-Jun-1873

Death date: 20-Jul-1917

Armed force/civilian: Navy

Residence: 38 Alice Street, South Shields (1881 census)
125 Frederick Street, South Shields (Family address – 1891 census)
38 Bedford Street, South Shields (1901 census)
61 John Williamson Street, South Shields (1911 census)

Employment: Seaman (1901 and 1911 census)

Family: Parents: Henry Terrell (1842-1908), Sarah Ann Terrell nee Appleby (1846-1890)
Siblings: Ann Terrell (b 1867), Ralph Henry Terrell (b 1868), Sarah Isabella Terrell (b 1871)
Spouse: Jane Terrell nee Cosgrove (1871-1933)
Children: Alfred Terrell (b 1897), Nora Terrell (b 1902), John Terrell (b 1905), Jane Terrell (b 1907)

Military service:

Royal Naval Reserve
Service Number 1593/D
Leading deck hand
HM Trawler Robert Smith

Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Chatham Naval Memorial
Roll of Honour Fallen 1914-18, Holy Trinity Church, South Shields
Street Memorial 1914-18, John Williamson Street, South Shields

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham