Robert Newson

A Mate with Steam Trawler Ranter (North Shields), Robert died on 12th of December 1917 at the age of 61. 

Robert was born at Lowestoft in 1856, a son of Benjamin and Priscilla Newson. He was baptised at Saint Peter’s Church, Kirkley, on 4 July 1858. In 1861 his family lived at South Union Place, Kirkley. By 1871 they were living at 22 Stevens Street, and Robert was a fisherman. Later Robert’s parents lived at 31 Southwell Road. 

In April 1872 Robert worked on the ship Sarapto (sic) out of Blythe. On returning from Russia Robert was found to have swollen glands and was admitted to the Dreadnought Seaman’s Hospital to convalesce.    

In 1880 Robert married Margaret Agnes McGregor. In 1881 they lived at 3 Halls Quay, North Shields, and Robert was a fisherman. By 1891 they were living at 43 Tyne Street, North Shields, and Robert worked as a fisherman. By 1896 they were living at 40 Bell Street, North Quay, North Shields, and this was still their home in 1901. Later their home was at 44 Borough Road, North Shields. Margaret died in 1905. By 1911 Robert, and children, were living at 35 Last Street, North Shields, and was still a fisherman.  

On 1917 Robert was working as the Mate on the trawler Ranter. On 12 December the Ranter, and five other trawlers, were fishing together, when the Ranter was attacked by three German destroyers. The Master, Francis Blanchflower, reported, at an inquest, that the Germans had fired at his vessel as hard as ever they could and that four of his crew of eight had been killed. The Master added that he had no gun on board and that no assistance was rendered to him by the Germans. Robert was one of the men killed.  

During World War One three of Robert’s sons served with the Royal Naval Reserve and another served with the Royal Field Artillery.