HMS Goliath, Royal Marine Light Infantry Unit (British Navy)
Date Of Birth:
22/03/1883
Died:
13/05/1915 (Killed in Action)
Age:
32
Summary
Robert Hutchinson was born in Coagh, Co Tyrone. He was the son of Mrs Fanny Hutchinson, 125, Creggan Road, Rosemount. Her husband, Robert Hutchinson was born in County Londonderry around 1845/46, and worked as a carpenter circa 1901. Goliath was part of the Allied fleet during naval operations in the Dardanelles campaign, On the night of May 12-13, 1915 off Cape Helles, a Turkish torpedo boat , fired three torpedoes which struck Goliath causing a massive explosion – the ship capsized almost immediately taking 570 of the 700-strong crew to the bottom.
Further Information
Robert Hutchinson was the son of Robert and Fanny Hutchinson. Robert Hutchinson married Frances Thompson on 6th February 1863 in the district of Magherafelt.
Robert is believed to be the only son and youngest of the family. He was born in Coagh, County Tyrone on 26th February 1882. He was one of seven children, four surviving by 1911.
Known family: Robert Hutchison, Fanny Hutchison, Margaret Hutchison (born 1st May 1866), Fanny Hutchison (born 24th September 1870), Lizzie Hutchison (born about 1871), Hanny Hutchison (born 21st February 1873), Fanny Hutchison (born 13th July 1875), Margaret Hutchison (born 4th April 1878), Robert Hutchison (born 26th February 1882).
The 1901 census does not list Robert as living with the family at house 74 in Creggan Road, Londonderry. His father was a carpenter. His mother was a shopkeeper.
Robert served for ten years in the Navy, from 13th March 1903 until 9th April 1913.
The 1911 census does not list Robert as living with the family at house 125 in Creggan Road, Londonderry. Both his mother and his father had retired.
Robert Hutchinson was a member of Great James Street Presbyterian Church in Londonderry.
Robert joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 10th April 1913.
During WWI he was with HMS Hannibal from 13th July 1914 and them with HMS Goliath from 29th July 1914 until his death.
Commanded by Captain Thomas Lawrie Shelford, HMS Goliath was part of the Allied fleet during naval operations in the Dardanelles campaign, supporting the landing at X Beach during the landing at Cape Helles on April 25, 1915.
HMS Goliath
Private Robert Hutchinson was serving with the Royal Marine Light Infantry, on board the battleship H.M.S. Goliath, when he died at sea off Gallipoli on 13th May 1915.
On the night of May 12-13, 1915, HMS Goliath was stationed in Morto Bay off Cape Helles, along with HMS Cornwallis and a screen of five destroyers. Around 1 am on 13th May, the Turkish torpedo boat Muavenet, which was manned by a combined German and Turkish crew, eluded the destroyers HMS Beagle and HMS Bulldog and closed on the battleships. Muavenet fired three torpedoes which struck Goliath causing a massive explosion – the ship capsized almost immediately taking 570 of the 700-strong crew to the bottom.
Private Robert Hutchinson had been in a previous engagement off the German South West African Coast on board HMS Goliath.
Private Robert Hutchinson has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 7 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Private Robert Hutchinson’s name was read out during a memorial service held in St Columb's (Church of Ireland) Cathedral, Londonderry, on Sunday, 1st August 1915, to commemorate the officers and men of the city of Derry, who had died during the first year of the Great War.
His name was also read aloud during a special memorial service held in First Derry Presbyterian Church, on Friday, 4th August 1916, to pay tribute to the Presbyterian soldiers of the city of Londonderry, who had died during the first two years of the war.
Private Robert Hutchinson is listed on Londonderry City Memorial at The Diamond
His mother, Fanny, died on 28th November 1929 and was interred in Londonderry City Cemetery.
The CWGC record Private Robert Hutchinson as the son of Fannie Hutchinson of 125 Creggan Road, Londonderry, and the late Robert Hutchinson
