Robert Atherton was born in Bethesda (Caernarfonshire) on July 29, 1876, but spent his childhood in Scotland, where he also attended school and high school and started playing football for Dalry Primose. He then joined Heart of Midlothian FC (Edinburgh), and in 1898 transferred to local rivals Hibernian FC. In 1903 he went to England, where he played for Middlesbrough, and from 1906 on for Chelsea (London). From 1899 to 1905 he played for Wales nine times. “Bob” Atherton, who served on a submarine (sic) during World War I, was killed in action in the English Channel in November 1917 (?) In Memory of Assistant Steward ROBERT ATHERTON S.S. "Britannia" (Leith), Mercantile Marine who died age 40 on 19 October 1917 Son of Ann Atherton, of 5, Elgin Terrace, Edinburgh, and the late Samuel Atherton; husband of the late Margaret Jane Atherton (nee Kirkconnell). Born at Bethesda, North Wales. Remembered with honour TOWER HILL MEMORIAL The steamship Britannia SS is believed to have been torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine in the English Channel on, or about, October 19th, 1917. The captain and 21 men were lost. BRITANNIA, 765grt, defensively-armed, October 1917, English Channel, possibly torpedoed without warning by submarine, date uncertain, listed as 19th, 22 lives lost including Master
