Engineer-Lieutenant Robert Ririe Mitchell, R.N.R., who lost his life on the Laurentic was the son of William and Jane Mitchell (neé Ririe). He was born St. Nicholas, Aberdeen in 1885 and was one of five children.

He served his apprenticeship at the Aberdeen shipyard of Messrs Hall Russell and Co., and held the Board of Trade extra chief certificate for engineering. At the outbreak of war he was consulting engineer in the south of England and volunteered for service in the Navy. He was transferred to the Laurentic a few weeks before the Laurentic set off from Liverpool, destined for Halifax, in what was to be her last voyage. Robert was buried in Holywood, County Down, where his brother William was the Principal of The Upper Sullivan School.

He is remembered on the Roll of Honour in Gilcomston U.F. Church, where his father was an elder for many years.

“Engineer-Lieutenant R. R. Mitchell, R.N.R., who lost his life on the Laurentic was the son of the late Mr. William Mitchell, foreman plater to Messrs Hall Russell and Co., and for over 40 years in the employment of that firm. He served his apprenticeship at their Aberdeen shipyard, and held the Board of Trade extra chief certificate for engineering.
At the outbreak of war he was consulting engineer in the south of England and volunteered for service in the Navy. He was transferred to the Laurentic a few weeks ago. He was buried yesterday at Holywood, County Down, where his brother Mr William Mitchell, M.A., is engaged in school teaching. The latter is a graduate of Aberdeen University and a distinguished mathematical student.
Engineer-Lieutenant Mitchell was about 30 years of age. His father was an elder in Gilcomston U.F. Church for many years, and the name of his son will now be placed on the Roll of Honour of that congregation”.
Aberdeen Evening Express Thursday 1st February 1917.

Sources:-
British Commonwealth War Graves Registers, 1914-1918. London, England: Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The British Newspaper Archive: http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/
Scotland’s People: http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk – births, deaths and marriages registers.
1891 and 1901 Scotland Census. General Register Office for Scotland.