Shields Gazette 5th June 1915
Robert was the eldest of 13 children, nine lived but four children died. His father was Thomas Borthwick Spence [born 22nd October 1873, died 9th February 1936], who was married to Alma Spence, [nee Pears], born 7th April 1878, died 13th August 1926, they were married on the 20th July 1895 at St Marks Church South Shields. [Thomas' father William, was born at North Shields in 1839, and was a Shipwright].
