Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Robert was born at Auckland, Durham in 1920. His parents were Tom and Louisa (nee Davison). He had a younger brother Tom.
Robert served aboard the steam ship S.S. Stanwold (London) which sank off Brighton in February 1941.
On February 22nd 1941 S.S. Stanwold was in convoy, carrying a cargo of coal from Southend to Cowes, Isle of Wight. At 11.30 hours she reported steering problems due to a heavy list to port. At 4.20 hours the following day, she reported as being sighted with a list to starboard. No further communication was received. Some bodies were washed ashore some days later. The Captain and crew of 19 and 2 gunners were lost.
Tower Hill Memorial commemorates the men of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets who gave their lives and have no grave but the sea. It lists 36701 men.
Robert is remembered at Kirk Merrington War on K26.02 and at Spennymoor on S131.02 and S131.04
