Photo: Brian Chandler

Colin McMillan has provided the following:

He was from a large family, having seven siblings. His father was Jacob who at the time of the 1901 census was 40, a coal miner, stone man and worker who was born in Morpeth, although at this time the family address was 15 Sunniside, Bedlington. Bridget, Robert’s mother (born in Stamfordham), didn’t work but the three oldest sons, (all born in Alnwick) ) Patrick, 16, William, 15 and George, 13 were all mineworkers (coal miner driver). Michael 11 (born in Choppington), Robert, 9, Jacob, 6, Mary, 3 and James, 2 (all born in Morpeth) were all still at school.

By 1911 the family had moved to 89 Sycamore Street, Hirst, Ashington. Patrick and William had left by then. The father, James, was now described as a coal miner hewer, and George was a bricklayer in the building trade. Michael was a coal pony putter in a coal mine as was Robert who, like all his siblings still living at home, was single. Jacob was a coal driver below ground and the youngest children were not working although Mary was 13 and old enough to do so.

Robert was Stoker 2nd Class K/52868 (P.O.) R.N. H.M.S. “Victory”. He died on 9 September 1918 aged 25. His brother Michael had also joined the navy.

By the time the CWGC were putting together their records Robert’s parents had moved to 8 Corporation Yard, Morpeth. Also of note is the fact that Robert had married sometime between 1911 and his death seven years later and that his wife, Mary Elizabeth Dalton had also died.

Two of his brothers, George and Michael also died.

Robert Dalton is remembered in Morpeth on M17.01 M17.09 and M17.17 and on our List of Ships’ crews

The CWGC entry for Stoker Dalton