In Queensferry Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of Second Mate Robert Thompson Bird serving on S.S. Unio with the Mercantile Marine who died 29/03/1917.

Brenda Mcmahon has submitted the following :-

Robert was born at Gateshead in 1887 to Thomas and Margaret Jane (nee Marshall). His siblings were Thomas, William and Sydney. His father was from the Birmingham area and was a plumber by trade.

By 1901 his father had changed jobs and was now shown as a commercial clerk. His 16 year old son, Thomas, was also a commercial clerk.

The following census 1911 shows his father now as a clerk with the Gas Company, his younger brother was serving his time as a butcher whilst Robert was now shown as a sailor. However he must have been on leave and was at home at the time of the census.

He gained his Certificate of Competency as 2nd Mate on 25 August 1911 then went on to received his Certificate of Competency on 15 March 1913 as 1st Mate.

The Gateshead High West Street Wesleyan Circuit Magazine for October 1915 says that brothers R.T, (Robert Thompson) T.M. (Thomas Marshall) and W.T. (William Tindale) Bird were all serving.

Robert drowned at sea 29 March 1917 aged 30 years. He had been serving on S.S. Unio. His parents lived at 12 Albert Drive, Low Fell.

Robert Thompson Bird is remembered at Low Fell on L61.02, L61.03 and L61.05 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.