The following information has been very kindly compiled by Susan Scott:
Robert Coverdale was born in Hartlepool, in 1889, one of six children born to John George Coverdale, a Marine Engineer from South Shields, and Margaret Coverdale (nee Smith). He was Christened at Holy Trinity Church, Hartlepool on December 18th, 1889.
His family at this time were living in Durham Street, Hartlepool, but by 1901 had moved to 108, Sandringham Road, West Hartlepool, and were still living there in 1911.
Robert seems to have followed in his father’s footsteps, and is recorded as being a marine engineering Fitter.
On April 2nd, 1917, Robert’s ship, the Benlarig, left Freemantle, Australia, bound for Colombo in modern-day Sri Lanka, with a cargo of bagged wheat. Neither the ship nor her crew were seen again.