Stoker Robert Moore Swann (LT/X 102955) served in the Royal Naval Patrol Service during the Second World War. He was the youngest son of the late Richard Swann and Hannah Wright of Laharna Avenue, Larne, Co. Antrim.
Robert received a call up to the Royal Naval Reserve in August 1939 as the United Kingdom prepared for war. His older brother James Swann also served as a First Class Stoker in the Royal Naval Reserve.
Known as Bobbie, he died as a result of accidental drowning at Aberdeen, Scotland on 8th January 1940 aged 19 years old. At the time, he served on H.M. Trawler Gunner. Reports suggest Stoker Swann was stepping from one ship to another in blackout conditions when he lost his footing.
Before the outbreak of the Second World War, Swann was a merchant seaman. In 1938, he suffered fractures to both his arms after falling into the hold of a ship. He made a full recovery and worked on trawlers before his call up in 1939.
Robert Moore Swann’s grave is in Section 4, Block C, Grave 1352 of Larne Cemetery, Larne, Co. Antrim. Pastor Martin and Pastor Farrow conducted the funeral service at the family home and graveside. A party of seamen from the Royal Navy represented the service at the funeral.