Robert Southgate 63, was a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London from 5 November 1856 replacing Herbert Barrett (59) to his death in the Martin Tower 8th February 1888.  He was then replaced by John West 122

Robert was born 7 March 1815, in Trexton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.  His father Edmund was (Born 1771) aged 43, and his mother Mary (Nee Shinglewood born 1779) was 36, he had two brothers, William born 1805 died 1890, Edmund born 1809 died 1893, and a sister Mary Ann Southgate, born 1809 died 1874.

He enlisted into the 77th Foot. (77th (East Middlesex) Regiment of Foot), on the 16 August 1833 aged 19, giving his trade as Tailor.

He raised through the ranks

Private 16 Aug 1833 to 30 Nov 1836. 3 Years 107 days

Corporal 1 December 1836 to 6 April 1838  1 year 127 days

Sergeant 7 April 1838 to 11 October 1853 15 years 188 days

He is also shown as a colour sergeant in September 1842, an in Newport, Wales as a Colour Sergeant in 1851

Sergeant Major 12 October 1853 to 9 January 1855 1 year 90 days

He was discharged on the 9 January 1855, unfit for further military service with chronic rheumatism.  He was then the perminant Staff instructor at the 1 London R.V. Brigade Bd on the 4 October 1881, he then had a total service of 25 Years

He and his family travelled with the Army, they were in Corfu for 5 years.  In 1815 Corfu became a British Protectorate by the treaty of Paris.  Then in 1864 if became part of Greece.

Jamaica for 3 years, then British North America for 2 years.

He then moved to Turkey and the Crimean war.  The 77 Regiment, were at Alma, and at Inkermann and Sebastopol, although Robert only had 2 Clasps for Alma and Sebastopol.  He was one of six Yeoman Warders presented with his Crimean War medal by Queen Victoria on the 18 May 1855.  He also received the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (LS&GC) with a gratuity of £15

he married a Julia nee Henessy (born 1826) in 1842, she was 16 at the time.  She is something recorded as being born in the West Indies , and others in Kilkenny, Ireland.  They have five daughter in 14 years.  Elizabeth born in 1843 in Jamaica, West Indies, Anne Marie born 16 December 1845, Maria born Portsmouth in 1850, Emily Francis 11 September in Burnley, and Louisa Caroline born 2 September 1857 in Burnley.

Emily Francis marries a Mr Davies and has three daughters all born in Middlesex, Julia born 1875, Emily born 1877, and Edith born 1888, Robert dies shortly after the birth of Edith born in the Tower, Emily and the three daughters are living in the Tower in 1881 she is shown as a widow.

Robert lives in the Tower in 1868 he is living near the Wakefield Tower, again in 1882, he is living near or in the Wakefield Tower, then he moves into the Martin Tower.  He dies on the 8 February 1888 aged 72 in the Martin Tower.