Robert Ernest Hansell was born in West Hartlepool on May 24th, 1889, to parents Robert Smith (born Hartlepool, 1858), and Ellen (born West Hartlepool, 1861). He was baptised at the Weslyan Methodist Chapel, Cambridge Place, West Hartlepool, on June 12th, 1889.
The 1891 Census lists Robert Smith’s occupation as a Mechanic Engineer; this Census also records his son’s name as George E. Robert Smith Hansell is not recorded on either the 1901 or the 1911 Census Returns; as his wife Ellen is still listed as ‘married’, he was perhaps away at sea at the time of both of these censuses.
The 1911 Census shows Robert Ernest’s occupation as Apprentice Sea-going Engineer, and residing with his mother at No.47, Grange Road, West Hartlepool.
