Richard Roberts, HMT Merse

HMT Merse (296 tons) was a Trawler completed in December 1914 for the Mersey Steam Trawling Co. of Fleetwood. She was requisitioned in February 1915 and commissioned under Admiralty No. 960. Her armament consisted of one 12 Pounder Gun. The trawler was sunk by a mine off Garroch Head, Isle of Bute whilst escorting HMS Ramilies to the River Mersey for repair after she had damaged her rudder on launching. An eyewitness on the HM Trawler The Roman recorded the loss - "Was employed sweeping in front of the new dreadnought, HMS Ramillies, that was being escorted to Liverpool by several destroyers and armed trawlers. All of a sudden we heard a very loud explosion and on looking in the direction of the sound I saw the 2 wireless masts of a trawler falling toward each other. It was the trawler 'Merse.' She had struck a mine. Not a man was seen thereafter. The only thing that was picked up was the small boat." The mine was laid by the German Submarine UC 65 on 30 April 1917. All 17 crewmembers were lost, including three others from Holyhead (John Higgins, John Jones and John Roberts).

Richard Roberts was born on 28 April 1880 at Holyhead and was the husband of Catherine Roberts (27) of 5 Baker Street, Holyhead. They married at Holyhead in 1903. In 1911 he lived at 4 Wynne Terrace, Holyhead with his wife Catherine (nee Hughes), sons David (5) and Robert (4) together with his daughter, Elizabeth (3). Another daughter, Maria Jane (b. 1903) was staying at an Aunt's house on the night of the Census. Other children included William (b.1912) and Richard (b.1917). Both he and his family were all born at Holyhead. In 1911 he was employed as a General Labourer. He joined the RNR on 15 July 1916 and served on the Merse from 28 January 1917. When he died he left a widow and 6 children.

Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 28.

I am grateful to Leonard Arfon Griffiths for permission to use the photograph of Richard Roberts and also for the additional family information - BRH.