JulieJC Posted 18 November , 2012 Share Posted 18 November , 2012 I am hoping somebody can help me find out more about Robert Burns who is commemorated on Beith's War Memorial. Looking at the UK Royal Navy & Royal Marine War Graves Roll I have discovered the following: Robert Burns Rank: Trimmer Birth Date: 7 Nov 1871, Irvine, Ayrshire Service: Royal Naval Reserve Cause of Death: Killed or died by means other than disease, accident, or enemy action. Number: 2028 S.T. (Dev) Death Date: 29 Jan 1918 Ship HM Trawler Robert Cloughton Grave: O.G. 826B Bangor Public cemetery. N.O.K. Wife Kate, 19, Cross, Beith. HMS Robert Cloughton was only launched on 18 th December 1917 in Paisley so was this his first posting? I would really like to find out more about his service history and the likely role of HMS Robert Cloughton. I'm also curious about his likely cause of death. Thank you to anyone who can shed some light. This is part of a project to research all the names on our WW1 War memorial Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin spof Posted 18 November , 2012 Admin Share Posted 18 November , 2012 Hi Julie and welcometo the Forum. His service record can be downloaded from the National Archives http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D8559401 for £3.36. Here is a bit of background information on what it contains -it is important to note this part Please note: each record covers a five-year term of service in the RNR, so there may be more than one record for a person. A reservist will have a different service number for each term. Glen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 18 November , 2012 Share Posted 18 November , 2012 ROBERT CLOUGHTON was an Admiralty-built trawler (Admiralty No.3672), employed in the Auxiliary Patrol (minesweeping/anti-submarine). She was based, until 6 April 1918, on HMS VANESSA II, the depot ship at Holyhead. Cause of death and service details will be on his RNR Record Card - originals at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, copies at Kew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieJC Posted 19 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 19 November , 2012 Thank you so much - that is very helpful. I'm curious that it says his death was not caused by disease, accident or enemy action - would a heart attack or similar be considered disease? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 19 November , 2012 Share Posted 19 November , 2012 Yes. Perhaps he was murdered or commited suicide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 19 November , 2012 Share Posted 19 November , 2012 Or fell in and drowned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 19 November , 2012 Share Posted 19 November , 2012 Or fell in and drowned. = ACCIDENT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 19 November , 2012 Share Posted 19 November , 2012 I do apologise. Didn't read hard enough! *blush* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 19 November , 2012 Share Posted 19 November , 2012 The cause of death could mean that this was unknown so for example if he was found dead in his bunk but the PM failed to identity the cause (was it an illness or did he accidentally or deliberately ingest something that killed him?) then the entry might be all that was possible. A sort of open verdict. There are some heart and brain conditions that might not show up given the medical knowledge of the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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