John Roberts, 19, was an assistant engineers’ mess steward. He was from Liverpool, England. He died when the Lusitania was lost on 7 May 1915. His body was not recovered or never identified.
John was the son of John and Margaret Roberts, of 19, Maitland St., Liverpool. The parents were known as ‘Grumpa’ and ‘Nanna Roberts.’ John was born in West Derby, Lancashire and had a brother named Arthur.
John was employed on both the westward and eastward voyages. After the Lusitania was torpedoed and was sinking, John and a friend (name unknown) managed to jump into the water. From what John’s friend told Arthur’s family, on hitting the water, Roberts fell unconscious. His friend was recovered from the water some time later, how and by who he was recovered is not known.
John’s mother and his sister, Elizabeth Ann (known as ‘Nancy’), travelled to Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland to search for him. His father was unable to travel as he was recovering from a serious leg injury sustained some weeks earlier when he fell beneath the wheels of a horse-drawn coal cart. Roberts’ body was never found.
John Roberts’ Memorial Card. Note that the ship in the picture is actually Titanic, not Lusitania. Image credit: Doris Jensen
Contributors
Cliff Barry, UK
Doris Jensen (relative of John Roberts), Canada
Peter Kelly, Ireland
George William Lamb (great-nephew of John Roberts), UK
I’ve just discovered this wonderful article; John Roberts was my uncle (eldest brother of my father Sylvester), and some of the information comes from the family history which I wrote years ago. Arthur and Nancy were my uncle and aunty, and I inherited some precious Lusitania memorabilia from my uncle George (John’s younger brother),
Thanks,
Ken
Hi Ken, I have been researching this family since my grandmother left me the little memorial card of his death. She always said her cousin, but it turned out to be my grandfather’s Edward Court’s first cousin. His mother was Elizabeth Ann Roberts sister to John Roberts Sr. father to John of the Lusitania.
I have loads of wonderful photos thanks to my grandparents but none of John or his family. Would you have any to share? Especially of John Roberts to add to this site? I also have a family tree on Ancestry.
Regards,
Doris
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Hello Doris,
Great to hear from you. We must be distant cousins! I also have some wonderful photos, letters, and other memorabilia, thanks mainly to my uncle George Roberts. My grandfather John knew the Court family well, from when they lived in Tranmere, in fact he lived with them when he left home and joined the Navy. I also have a fascinating letter and fragments written to him by his nephew William Court who was also in the Navy.
Unfortunately I can’t paste any pics on this forum. Maybe if I look up your tree on Ancestry we can exchange emails. I have recently “discovered” other cousins this way, in the US and Australia, who have greatly enriched my knowledge of our family roots
Regards,
Ken
Hi Ken, we haven’t connected yet. Would love to hear from you regarding the Roberts and Court family. William Court was my grandfather’s brother, I’m in touch with his Grandaughter. My tree on Ancestry is Hatfield/Curran/Court/Crowder.
Regards,
Doris
Thanks Doris, I’ve sent you a message on Ancestry,
Regards,
Ken