Person

Robert Green was born on 12 November 1894 in Sunderland. His father was Sunderland labourer John Green (b 1866). His mother was Rebecca Green (1863-1902). There were seven known children before Robert’s mother died in 1902. Robert had four brothers and two sisters from this marriage. In 1905 father John married widow Mary Hannah Surtees (b 1871). She had previously been married to William Surtees (1869-1904) with whom she had five known children. John and Mary had a son together in 1906 who was Robert’s half-brother. In 1911 Robert was working as a pony driver in a coal miner and living with his family at 110 Whitburn Street, Sunderland.

Robert joined the Royal Navy on 27 September 1913 to serve for 12 years. He was initially rated as a stoker 2nd class and given the service number K20448. He was rated stoker 1st class on 26 September 1916. Robert joined the crew of the destroyer HMS Narbrough on 31 October 1917. On the night of 12 January 1918 the destroyers HMS Narbrough and HMS Opal were on night patrol east of Orkney, Scotland looking for German ships and submarines laying mines. In near zero visibility Nabrough hit rocks at speed off the coast of South Ronaldsway. She rapidly sank with the loss of her entire crew. Robert’s body was not recovered for burial and he is honoured on the Portsmouth Memorial. He was remembered in the Book of Remembrance 1914-18, Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland.

Robert Green was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service during the First World War.

Civil Parish: Sunderland

Birth date: 19-Nov-1894

Death date: 12-Jan-1918

Armed force/civilian: Navy

Residence: 110 Whitburn Street, Sunderland (1911 census)

Employment: Coal miner – pony driver (1911 census)

Family: Parents: John Green (b 1866), Rebecca Green (1863-1902), Mary Hannah Green formerly Surtees (b 1871, step-mother)
Siblings: William Green (1866), Arthur Green (1888), Henry Green (1889), Margaret Jane Green (1894), Samuel Green (1899)
Half-sibling: Norman Green (1906)
Step-siblings: Charles Surtees (1892), James Surtees (1895), Robert Wilson Surtees (1901), Sidney Surtees (1903)
Spouse: Mary Green

Military service:

K20448
Royal Navy
Stoker 2nd class, 27 September 1913
Stoker 1st class, 26 September 1916
HMS Narbrough 31 October 1917

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

Memorial(s): Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham