Robert William Rowe (1898-1918)
Sunderland man served as a stoker in the Royal Navy on HMS Glatton
Robert William Rowe was born on 29 May 1898 in Sunderland. His father was colliery onsetter Joseph Rowe, born in Essex in 1872. His mother was Isabella Rowe born in Hetton Lyons in 1873. His parents married around 1893 and had seven known children, made up of four boys and three girls. In 1901 the Rowe family lived at 12 Hesledon Terrace, Cold Hesledon. By 1911 they had moved to 9 Railway Street, Murton Colliery.
Robert joined the Royal Navy on 9 May 1918 to serve for the duration of hostilities. He was rated as a stoker 2nd class and given the service number K51334. He joined the crew of the monitor HMS Glatton. Glatton suffered an internal explosion of her midships magazine in Dover Harbour on 16 September 1918 and was scuttled to put out the fire. A total of 60 crew were killed outright. Robert was one of 124 men injured and one of the 19 who later died from their injuries.
Robert died on 17 September 1918 and his body was returned to be buried in the south east corner of Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton. There is an inscription on his headstone which reads “In loving memory of Stoker Robert William Rowe, dearly beloved son of Joseph and Isabella Rowe, who lost his life at Dover through an explosion on HMS Glatton Sep 16th 1918 aged 20 Years. To be with Christ which is far better.”
Robert William Rowe was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.
For more information on HMS Glatton:
http://ww1countydurham.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-sinking-and-raising-of-hms-glatton.html
Civil Parish: East Murton
Birth date: 29-May-1898
Death date: 17-Sep-1918
Armed force/civilian: Navy
Residence: 12 Hesledon Terrace, Cold Hesledon (1901 census)
9 Railway Street, Murton Colliery (1911 census)
Employment: Coal miner (1918 Royal Navy service record)
Family: Parents: Joseph Rowe (b 1872), Isabella Rowe (b 1873)
Siblings: John Charles Rowe (b 1894), Arthur Rowe (b 1896), Mary A Rowe (b 1901), Edith May Rowe (b 1904), Joseph Rowe (b 1906), Isabella Rowe (b 1910)
Military service:
K51334
Stoker 2nd class
Royal Navy
HMS Glatton
Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal
Memorial(s): Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton (grave in south east corner)
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, Murton Miner’s Federation
Cenotaph 1914-18, Murton
Plaque 1914-18, Victoria Working Men’s Club, Murton
Screen 1914-18, Holy Trinity Church, Murton
Gender: Male
Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham
