Henry Owen Roberts, Chief Engineer

He was born at Valley, Anglesey on 23 October 1856 and in 1871 was living at the Old Valley Crossing, aged 14 with his parents, Thomas Roberts (48), employed as a Platelayer and Catherine Roberts (nee Owen) (48). Also at the address was his sister Margaret (24), a Dressmaker. At the time of the Census Henry was employed as a Fitter (apprentice?). In 1891 he was recorded as serving as a Second Engineer on SS Anglesey at Dublin. In 1901 he had been promoted to Chief Engineer and serving on SS Irene at Holyhead Harbour.

In 1911 he was living at 37 Thomas Street, Holyhead with his wife, Mary Elizabeth Roberts (nee Jones) (54). They married at Holyhead in 1895. At home were his daughters Margaret Roberts (25), a Head Teacher, born at Liverpool and Catherine Ellen Roberts (21), a Teacher. Also at the house was a Servant, Catherine Jones (21).He served his apprenticeship at the Valley Foundry and was then employed at Liverpool and then at Crewe for the LNWR locomotive works. He first went to sea for the Guion Line of Liverpool before retiring from foreign-going voyages due to ill health and joining the LNWR at Holyhead as Second Engineer in 1887. He first married Eleanor Jones of Llanfair Mathafarn Eishaf, Anglesey at Liverpool in 1885. They had four children - Margaret, Catherine Ellen, Olwen and Henry. The two last born died in infancy and his first wife died at 54 Newry Street, Holyhead in March 1894. He married Mary Elizabeth Jones at Holyhead in 1895.

He was promoted to Chief Engineer in 1899 and served on SS Greenore until he joined SS Hibernia in February 1914. He volunteered to remain with the Hibernia (renamed HMS Tara) after declaration of war and served with her as Engineer Lieutenant, RNR, until December 1914. He was discharged to pension due to ill health in August 1915. In late 1916 he became seriously ill and never fully recovered. He was a member of Armenia Chapel, Holyhead where he served as a Sunday School Teacher.

His wife was granted administration of his will to the value of £173.3s.11d. She died in 1931 (b.1856) and is buried with him at Maeshyfryd Cemetery, Holyhead.

He is not listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Debt of Honour Register. His omission is due to the nature of his demise not meeting the requirements for CWGC commemoration. The town has considered this differently and has included his name on the Memorial.

Buried at Maeshyfryd Cemetery, Holyhead. He is also commemorated on the 'Roll of Honour' at Armenia Chapel, Holyhead (now demolished).

Additional information from Geraint S Griffith's book 'From Holyhead to Bir Hakkim (and back)' - the story of HMS Tara