Robert Burgoyne

A Second Hand with Trawler Mistletoe (Lowestoft), Robert died on 7th of May 1919 at the age of 70. 

Robert was born at Brixham, Devon, on 13 March 1849, a son of Samuel and Mary Burgoyne. He was baptised at All Saints’ Church, Brixham, on 25 March 1849. In 1851 his family lived at Ranscombe, Brixham, and this was still their address in 1861 when Robert worked in a ropery. In 1862 Robert began an apprenticeship to work with Mr. George Hart, of Brixham, on the Phoebe of Brixham. 

In 1871 Robert married Sarah Grant at Ramsgate. At this time he was the Mate on the trawler Excelsior at Ramsgate. In 1881 Robert and Sarah lived at 33 Princes Street, Ramsgate. By 1891 they had moved to Lowestoft and lived at 247 Raglan Street. In 1901 they lived at 39 Beckham Road and by 1911 at 34 Waveney Cottages, Saint Leonards Road. Lowestoft. 

In 1919 Robert served with the Lowestoft trawler Mistletoe. On 7 May 1919 the trawler Misteltoe was fishing about half a mile off Lowestoft when it was blown up by a mine. The Skipper of the smack Colinda saw the wreckage and sailed to the spot. The crew of the Colinda were able to recover the body of Thomas Woolner. All of the Mistletoe's five crew were killed.  

Robert’s son, Samuel, served in the Royal Naval Reserve and died in 1917.