Robert Hensley was born on 13 October 1887, the son of  Harriet Hensley of 175 Beaumont Road, Leyton, London.  It seems he overstated his age on joining the Royal Navy, as RN records quote 13 October 1886.

He died on 5 January 1918 when he was washed overboard from HMS E2 and drowned in the Comino Channel at Malta.

The following information was recorded in the ship’s log of HMS E2 on 5 January.

“At 1.20 Stoker Petty Officer R Helmsley fell overboard, vessel was immediately brought round but he was observed to sink at 1.25 when vessel was only about 75 yards away from him and was not seen again.  Vessels were kept in that position (ahead of No 15 Buoy) until 1.45 pm when we set course for Valletta.”

He is commemorated on the Chatham War Memorial  Panel 29.