Robert Anthony, Lamptrimmer

Robert was born on 18 February 1863 at Holyhead and was a former pupil at Park School, Holyhead. He was the son of Robert Anthony and Margaret Anthony (nee Jones) and husband of Mary (Maria Josephine) Anthony (nee Rigali). She was born in Dublin the daughter of Giuseppe Carlo Ludovico Rigali an Italian confectioner from Milan. They married in Dublin in 1883. In 1901 he is recorded on the RMS Leinster when the vessel was at the Langton Graving Dock at Liverpool. The family then lived at 10 Well Street, Holyhead.In 1911 the family were located at 4 Boston Street, Holyhead. At the address were Mary Anthony (48), Louie Anthony (14) and Edward Owen Anthony (11). Robert Anthony was recorded at Kingston Harbour on board RMS Connaught. In all the family had six surviving children: Elizabeth Mary Anthony (b.1882, Dublin), Helena Rigali Anthony (b.1890), Louisa Rigali Anthony (b.1887), Robert Edward Anthony (b.1899), Margaret Anthony (b.1902) and Edward Owen Anthony (b.1905). The family later lived at 6 Back Bath Street, Holyhead.The book "Torpedoed" records that Robert Anthony first went to sea aged 12 when he joined the CDSPCo. as a Captain's Boy, serving alongside his father. It is said that Robert Anthony lowered one of the Leinster's lifeboats. His body was recovered and returned to Holyhead for burial.