Eccles, Robert Sinclair

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Robert Sinclair Eccles

J/30761, Boy 1st Class, HMS Defence, Royal Navy
Killed in action, 31 May 1916, aged 17
Body not recovered for burial 

CWGC registered (Son of Robert and Elizabeth Eccles, of Gt. Ormeshead Lighthouse, Llandudno)

Robert Sinclair Eccles, the son of Robert Eccles and his wife Elizabeth (née Work), was born at Llaneilian, Amlwch, Anglesey in on 15 November 1898. He was known as “Bertie”. The family lived at Point Lynas Lighthouse where his father was 2nd Assistant Keeper (1st Assistant Keeper from 1901), employed by the Mersey Dock Board. The 1911 Census records the family still living at Point Lynas. Robert Eccles (senior) became keeper of the Ormeshead Lighthouse, Marine Drive, Llandudno in 1913.

Whether or not Bertie Eccles moved with his parents in 1913 is a little unclear for he gave his occupation on joining the Navy on 17 April 1914 as “Telegraph Anglesey Messenger.” He initially served at HMS Powerful, a training establishment at Devonport, as a boy 2nd class. He joined for a period of 12 years, effective from his future 18th birthday (15 November 1916). He trained on the wooden torpedo school ship HMS Defiance, also at Devonport.

Robert Eccles joined HMS Defence on 9 January 1915. HMS Defence was an armoured cruiser that had been commissioned in 1909. She had seen service on the Home Fleet, the China Station and in the Mediterranean before joining the Grand Fleet as its flagship at the end of 1914. HMS Defence was lost with all hands, when it blew up during the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916. Thought to have disintegrated, the wreck of the Defence was found in 1984 and later designated as a protected place, being the resting place for about 900 men.

Known memorials:

  • Plymouth Naval Memorial
  • Seion Chapel, Llanelian
  • English Presbyterian Church (Gloddaeth United), Llandudno
  • Llandudno Roll of Honour
  • Llandudno War Memorial
  • Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
  • Family stone in the Great Orme Cemetery (as Bertie)

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