Robert Hume was born in Colvend which is about five miles south of Dalbeattie on the Solway coast in May of 1873. Hume would join the White Star Line in 1901, serving aboard the Celtic as third officer until 1904. After serving on the RMS Oceanic until June of 1911, Hume was placed aboard the first of the Olympic class Liners, the RMS Olympic, under the rank of second officer. Hume would maintain this rank until 1912, where a large group of his colleagues would be transferred over to the second Olympic class Liner, the RMS Titanic. As disappointing as it may have been, Hume would be bumped to first officer aboard Olympic after this transfer. Hume would be transferred once again to the newest Olympic class liner, the RMS Britannic in 1915. Aboard, Hume was appointed the rank of Chief Officer, there is no doubt that Robert Hume is well fit for the rank of Chief Officer aboard the Britannic for this voyage.