Robert Elijah Kights Ward

A Deck Hand, Robert died on 20th of March 1941 at the age of 61.

Robert was born at Carlton Colville on 2 December 1879, a son of Robert and Elizabeth Ward. In 1881 his family lived at Back Lane, Barnby, and by 1891 had moved to Bell Yard, Carlton Colville. 

Robert was a fisherman. 

Robert married Daisy Blanche Friston at Saint Peter and Saint John's Church, Kirkley, on 10 February 1903. In 1911 they were living at 18 Oaklands Terrace, London Road, Kessingland, and by 1915 they were living at 26 Southwell Road, Kirkley.

Robert joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 13 July 1915 and served as a Deck Hand with service number 7798 DA. During the First World War he served on board the converted trawlers Lord Lovat and Kingfisher. He was demobilized on 21 May 1919 and give his address as 26 Nelson Terrace, Nelson Road, Pakefield, and this was still their home in 1939. 

During the Second World War Robert served as a Deck Hand on the Steam Trawler Bianca, registered at Hull. There are conflicting reports about what happened to the Bianca, with one source suggesting that the vessel was torpedoed by an aircraft, however the Merchant Navy Casualty Card for Robert states that the trawler was damaged when a torpedo that had just been hauled in with the nets exploded. This version is supported by a report in the West Wales Guardian of 28 March 1941 which states that 'the gear had just been hauled when the explosion occurred' and adds that four men, including Robert, were killed, but another four, including three men from Lowestoft, escaped injury and that the 'Bianca' was taken in tow by another trawler but sank later. The newspapers added that this was Robert's first voyage on a Milford based trawler. 

Daisy died in 1963 and is buried at Kirkley Cemetery.