Robert William Lewis

A Mate with Steam Trawler Carry On (Lowestoft), Robert died on 17th of December 1940 aged 57. 

Robert was born at Pakefield on 17 March 1883, a son of Robert and Harriet Lewis. He was baptised at All Saints’ Church, Pakefield, on 13 May 1883. On 30 August 1887 Robert became a pupil at Cunningham’s School. In 1891 his family lived at 13 Beach Street, Pakefield. 

In 1910 Robert was awarded his certificate of competency as a Skipper. In 1911 he was a crewman with the trawler Confier LT 658. 

On 23 December 1912 Robert married Ethel Mary Cropley at All Saints’ Church, Pakefield. Robert was a fisherman and they both lived at Pakefield. By 1915 they were living at 34 Wellington Road, Pakefield. 

Robert joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 8 January 1915 as a Temporary Skipper, number WSA 812. He served with the trawler Lord Milner until 14 October 1915 when he joined the trawler Primrose. In July 1918 Robert was hospitalised at Portland, but the reason is not known. Robert was demobilised on 15 May 1919.   

Ethel died in 1928 and in 1938 Robert married Beatrice Violet Lewis and this was registered in the Lambeth district. Beatrice was the widow of Robert’s brother Joseph. In 1939 they lived at 34 Wellington Road and Robert was a drift net fisherman (Skipper or Second Hand).

In 1940 Robert was the Mate with the trawler Carry On. The Carry On was used as a barrage balloon drifter in the Thames Estuary. During the night of 12 December 1940 many mines were dropped into the Thames Estuary and the Carry On was immobilised. A few days later the Carry On was given permission to sail to Sheerness, deliberately sailing at low speed to avoid detonating acoustic mines. On 17 December the trawler was blown up by a mine. All seven of the crew were killed.   

Robert’s brother-in-law, Thomas Cropley, served with the Royal Naval Reserve and died in 1917.