Robert (Patrick?) Fairclough was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England on 24 May 1873. He lived at 2 Court, 3 House, Barwise Street, Liverpool.
He had served on previous voyages of the Lusitania and on 12 April 1915 he signed on at Liverpool as a donkeyman in the Engineering Branch for what would be her final voyage, at a monthly wage of £7-0s-0d. Upon signing, he was granted an advance on his wages of £1.0s.0d He reported for duty at 8am on 17 April, the day the liner left Liverpool for the last time.
He survived the sinking and after being landed at Queenstown eventually made his way back to Liverpool. He continued to serve on transatlantic liners for many years after.
References
Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths, Cunard Records, PRO BT 100/345, PRO BT 350.