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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment
Capt. John Robb
Merchant Navy S.S. Oxonian
from:34 Winstanley Road, Waterloo, Liverpool
Captain John Robb was the Master of S.S.Oxonian between 1915 and 1917 during which time he transported horses between Davenport and Alexandria for the war effort. He saved the lives of the Captain and crew of the American sailing schooner S.V.Cora A on 5 March, 1916 (Latitude 36.42N,Longitude 57.18W) receiving an inscribed pair of binoculars from the President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson for his heroic effort. He evaded a German submarine attack on 28 December, 1916 (Latitude 35.20N, Longitude 22.40E) saving the lives of his crew, cargo and ship, which he reported to HMS Hannibal, which was serving as a depot ship based in Alexandria, Egypt
S.S.Oxonian - Alexandria, Jan 1st 1917
The Senior Naval Officer - H.M.S. Hannibal
Sir, I respectfully beg to report the circumstances in connection with the Submarine attack on above steamer while steering for the Cerigotto Channel on the 28th Dec 1916.
Having been zigzagging from daybreak during fine weather conditions and on the point of altering course from NE to SE at 1.55 p.m. in Lat 35.20N Long 22.40E my attention was drawn by the Second Officer to a torpedo coming towards ship's port beam about 500 ft distant. I at once ordered helm hard to port and this order being promptly carried out although ship appeared particularly slow to answer helm at the moment she did so in sufficient time to allow torpedo to pass no more than 20ft ahead of bow towards SE.
Steadied ship then on SE course, a few minutes later a periscope was observed astern, which was not visible long enough to open fire. Reappearing shortly afterwards however on Starboard quarter with Submarine rising and conning tower visible bearing WSth, course was altered to ENE and at 2.10 p.m. ordered gunner to open fire. Three shots were fired, the first at 1800 yds, being short, the second and third at 2200 yds were very close to and at 2.18 p.m. the submarine dived and orders given to cease fire. Second shell richocheted and burst. Ship was kept full speed on ENE course with frequent zigzag two points on either side until 3.20 p.m. when in Lat 35.25N Long 22.58E sighted the feather of a periscope about a ½ mile distant on port quarter. Course was then altered to ESE but did not open fire as submarine disappeared almost instantly and nothing further was seen Ship reached the entrance to Cerigotto Channel about 5.45 p.m
I am Sir, Your obedient servant, Master.
Pte. Lewis J. Robb
British Army 18th (4th Glasgow) Battalion Highland Light Infantry
from:Calder Street, Crosshill, Glasgow
(d.19th July 1918)
Lewis Robb was my father's brother who was only 6 months old when Lewis died of wounds sustained on the battlefield. Legend has it, Lewis was running cables for the Signal Corps when he sustained and subsequently died of his injuries. He was survived by his mother Maggie, father George, sister Helen and my father George. Only 18 years of age, he was taken too young.
Gnr. Thomas Robb
British Army 21st Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
from:Cambusnethan
Pte. Wiliam Thom Robb
Canadian Army
from:Banff
Able Sea George Edmund "Robbie" Robbins
Royal Navy
from:15 Pontcanna Place, Cardiff
Robbie Robbins was my great uncle. Although I never met him he was always talked about by my mother's family as he was my maternal grandmother's brother.
Robbie's naval record shows he was involved with the following ships (in date order):
- Impregnable (training)
- Leviathan
- Vivid I
- King Alfred
- Donegal
- Dublin
- Vivid I
- Orion
- Hindustan
- Orion
- Vivid I
- Ajax
- Vivid I
- Briton
- Vivid I
- Columbine Venturisimo
- Columbine Volunteer
- Vivid II
- Vivid I
I am currently researching more of his life. Family folklore says that he was at both the Dardanelles (Gallipoli) and the Battle of Jutland. I have yet to establish which ships he was on at these times.
During WW2 he was the Manager of The Swan Hotel in Lavenham. I am told he was most supportive to the American Airmen of USAF 487 Bomber Command in Lavenham, perhaps because of his own experiences during WW1.
I will update and submit photographs as I progress.
Pte. J. Robbins
British Army Remount Depot (Ormskirk) Royal Army Service Corps
Private J Robbins died on the 20th January 1919. He was 49 years old and is buried in the north west part of the Clara Monastery Old Graveyard, Co. Offaly, Ireland.
Cpl. John George Robers
British Army 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry
also served att 5th Ent Btn. & att 9th Btn Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Pte. Albert Ernest Roberts
British Army 20th (Service) Battalion Manchester Regimet
from:8 Elm Grove, Weaste, Salford
Albert Ernest Roberts was my Grandfather who was wounded at the battle of the Somme in July 1916. Having volunteered in may 1915 and having completed his training, he was sent overseas serving on the western front in the Albert sector. In July 1916 he was wounded in the right lower fore arm. Having recovered from this wound he went on to serve as a despatch rider at Etaples. He never talked to anyone about his time in the Great War nor did he approve of any war films. In WW2 he served in the Home Guard as a Sergeant at Weaste, Salford, Manchester.
Pte. Albert Ernest Roberts
British Army 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment
from:Salford
My Grandfather, Albert Roberts served with the 20th (5th City ) Battalion, Manchester Regiment from May 1915.
Sgt. Albert John "Robbie" Roberts
British Army 236th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
from:5 Effra Parade, Brixton, London
On 20th January 1909 Albert enlisted in the 6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery, 2nd County of London Division (Later 47th Division), Territorial Force raised at 105 Holland Road, Brixton, as a Gunner in the 16th Battery. After much reorganisation this later became the 236th Brigade 47th Division. At the start of the WW1 his Brigade were stationed in Hertfordshire before moving to France in March 1915. Being the first Territorial Army Division to go to France as a complete unit. He saw action around Bethune, Lose, Vimy Ridge and the Somme. The Division moved from the Somme in 1916 to Ypres where they remained over the winter. The Brigade Headquarters were moved forward to Bedford House for the build up to the Battle of Messine Ridge which started on 7th June 1917. The bombardment commenced on 21st May. The Germans retaliated in kind, and this is when Albert’s front line service comes to an end when a German shell landed on his dugout. On Saturday 2nd June 1917 he was wounded along with another unnamed sergeant. Staff Sergeant Thomas Masters and Gunner Joseph Alexander Gordon were both killed and are buried at Bedford House which was also a dressing station. Albert always thought the other Sergeant in the dugout was also killed but just after WW2 he was in the White Horse Public House in Chislehurst when the other Sergeant walked in. Unfortunately who he was is lost to history. I have done a lot of research on 236th Brigade which anybody can have a copy of. I also have transcribed the War Diary from March 1915 to 8th June 1917.
Pte. Albert Edward Roberts
British Army 6th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment
from:7 Lions Lane, Hebburn, Co Durham
(d.21st September 1915)
Albert was born in India on 15th November 1878 and baptised on 18th December 1878 at Morar,Gwalior, India. He was the son of George and Mary Ann Roberts. (George was in the 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment for 22 years and stationed in India).
The family returned to England and set up home in Durham where George became a prison warder and Albert became a miner. Albert married my grandmother Margaret Lewis on 26th April 1913 at Hebburn, Co Durham and my father was born on 20th April 1914. I don't have a date but he enlisted at Jarrow, Co Durham and died of dysentry in Malta. He is buried in Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta.
Pte. Alexander Stuart Roberts
British Army 1st Btn. Black Watch
(d.25th Sep 1915)
Alexander Roberts lost his life while serving with the 1st Black Watch. His older brother Peter Jackson Roberts died on 7th June 1917 at the Battle of Arras.
Drvr. Alfred George Roberts
British Army 173rd Brigade, C Bty Royal Field Artillery
(d.21st March 1918)
Driver Alfred Roberts was 26 when he died. He was the son of Alfred George and Fanny Roberts. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 7-10.
Lt. Arthur Roberts
British Army 16th Battalion (Cardiff City) Royal Welsh Fusiliers
I have a old Ordnance Survey map of the Winchester area and on the front cover is written 'Lt. Arthur Roberts, 16th. Battalion/Welsh Regiment Cardiff City'. I believe they moved to Winchester in August 1915. I would be interested to know what happened to him in WW1 and whether he survived the war. Thanks
Arthur Roberts
British Army 2/5th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
from:Holderness Road, Hull
(d.27th November 1917)
2/5th KOYLI arrived at Bertincourt on 27th of November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai. Eighty-five men of the battalion were killed here today. One was Private Arthur Roberts, aged 18. Reaching that birthday earlier this year, he was called up. He immediately married his girlfriend Eliza Hedges. Today was his first, and last, day in action.
Sgt. Ben Roberts
British Army 45th Btn. Royal Fusiliers
from:54 Abercrombie Street, Landport
(d.5th Jan 1920)
Ben Roberts served with 45th Btn. Royal Fusiliers
Sgt. Charles Roberts
British Army Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry)
from:Llynclys Oswestry
Sgt. Roberts fought with the machine gun corps cavalry in Belgium. It broke his heart when his horse was mortally wounded. He was subsequently taken prisoner of war. While in the prison camp, a local lady kept him alive by smuggling scraps through the fence. He lived part of the time on boiled grass.
Lt. Clark Roberts
Royal Flying Corps
from:St. Thomas, Ontario
My grandfather, Clark Roberts, enlisted in the UWO Medical Corp, Canadian Expeditionary Force in May, 1916. Transferred to the Royal Flying Corp while overseas. Discharged as Lieutenant in March 1919.
Pte. Cyril Roberts
British Army 22nd Btn Durham Light Infantry
Served with 18th DLI
Pte. Daniel Roberts
British Army 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
from:Denbigh
(d.18th November 1916)
Daniel was the son of Mrs E Roberts, 15 Maes-Y-Coed, Denbigh.
Pte. Edgar Roberts
British Army 528th Coy. Army Service Corps
from:Leeds
Edgar Roberts served with 528th Company, Army Service Corps. Just looking to find out what my great grandfather did in the Great War. He came home where many didn't.
Pte. Edward Roberts
British Army 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regt.
from:Barrow
(d.27th Sep 1918)
Edward Grattan Roberts, Private 48843, enlisted at Barrow and served in the 8th Battalion Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). He died on the 27th September 1918 and is remembered at Vis-en-Artois Memorial. Pane 3. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.
Edward was born in Jarrow 1897, son of Elizabeth Ann Roberts nee Porter of 23 Argyll Place, Barrow and the late Edward Roberts. In the 1911 census Elizabeth Ann, born in Flintshire, (40) widow, is living at that address, and is a cleaner at a pulp works. Her son Edward Grattan Roberts (13) is a government telegraph messanger and her two daughters Mary Elizabeth,born in Jarrow, (12) and Gwendoline, born in Barrow in Furness, (6) are both attending school.
CSM. Edward Roberts MM.
British Army 10th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers
from:Denbigh
(d.30th July 1916)
Sgt. Edwin Hugh Roberts
British Army 149th Coy. Machine Gun Corps
(d.26th Oct 1917)
Drvr. Elias Roberts
British Army 490th Coy Royal Army Service Corps
from:Denbigh
(d.26th March 1919)
Elias was the son of Elias and Mary Roberts, Highgate, Denbigh. He also served in the South African campaign with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
Pte. Ernest Roberts
British Army Sherwood Rangers
from:Retford, Notts
Pte. Evan John Roberts
British Army 21st Btn. Manchester Regiment
from:Waunfawr, Caernarfon
(d.4th Oct 1918)
Sergeant Francis John Roberts
British Army 9th Battalion Devonshire Regiment
from:Plymouth, Devon
Francis Roberts born Plymouth Devon, May 1894 served with the 9th Devonshire Regiment 1914-1918 and the Home Guard 2nd of November 1942 to 31st December 1944 5th Btn Cornwall (St Austell).
Sgt. Francis J. Roberts
British Army 9th Btn. Devonshire Regiment
from:Plymouth, Devon
Francis Roberts was born in Plymouth, Devon on 5 May 1894. He served with the Devonshire Regiment from 1914 to 1918. Later, during WWII, he served with the Home Guard, 5th Btn., St. Austell in Cornwall from 2nd of November 1942 until 31st of December 1944. According to my research, original records of the Devonshire Regiment were destroyed by enemy bombing during WWII. I have therefore extracted from books, The Bloody Eleventh and C. T. Atkinson, The Devonshire Regiment 1914-1918, the following information in trying to trace were my father was. Certain facts (e.g., Mametz and Italy) were given by F. J. Roberts, otherwise one presumes he could have been in many or all of the places mentioned. The chapter and page numbers cited below are for the Devonshire Regiment Book:
- Assuming a volunteer joined on 31st of January 1916, it is thought his training took up to the usual period of 6 months. Therefore, he would not have been sent to France until July or August of that year.
- Chapter XII, page 146: On 19th July 1916, having its front line at Mametz (map ref J7), the Borderers on the left, then the 9th Devons and the 2nd Gordons beyond them.
- Page 148/9: In Shrine Alley, which swept round Mansel Copse (Picardy), the company on the right of the 9th Devons had to move. Assembly trenches had therefore been dug 250 yards further back, and in these the troops formed up on the evening of 30 June. The 9th Devons had A and B companies in front and company C in second line as support.
- Page 153: From 2 July to 5 July, the 9th Devons were withdrawn for reorganisation.
- Chapter XIII, page 154: On 11 July 1916 at Bazentin (map J7), yards from the German trenches on the ridge and between Bazentine and Lonueval, the 9th Devons were the first to go into the new front line through Fricourt and Marlborough Wood to Caterpillar Valley. The second stage of The Battle of the Somme, the contest for the main ridge, was ushered in on 14 July. In the interval, large drafts had been received and the 9th Devons had 486 men coming from other West Country and Southern regiments.
- Page 155: In the 20th Brigade, the 8th Devons on the right, the Borders on the left, and the Gordons in support the of the 9th were holding the whole of the brigade’s front until the attack began and being drawn into reserve as the other units passed through.
- Page 167: Since the capture of Mametz (map J7), there was less fighting for the 9th Devons as construction work was carried on at Ailly sur Somme.
- Page 175: On 3 September, whilst the Division had 5 weeks rest, the 8th and 9th Devons, in the middle of a football match, were unexpectedly summoned back to the fray at Ypres (Ieper) or Vimy or Ploegsteert. They embussed at Buire. The 9th led the way, debussing at Mametz (map J7), then to Montauban (map J7) near Toulose.
- Page 177: The attack of the 9th Devons was gallantly launched, but they had a painful and tedious march to their position near Ginchy (map J7) and were in support of the Gordons. It was a bitter memory for the 8th and 9th Devons.
- Page 181: Near Morval (map K7) and route D20.
- Page 193: On 21 November, both battalions tramped to Bertrancourt and on the 23rd to Mailly Maillet (map I7) near Abbeville, and received reinforcements of 220 men.
- Page 235/6: On 1 January 1917, the 9th Devons were at Hope Post. There was fighting. However, from 20 January until the end of February, they were in reserve and training. Twenty-four officers and 203 enlisted men joined the 9th, which now mustered a total of 46 officers and 1,030 enlisted.
- Page 241: On 8 and 9 March, the Battalion was in Mailly Maillet, training and working.
- Page 242: From 21 to 26 March, they were in the front line, and the 9th relieved the Gordons on the right of the Brigade.
- Page 243 In April, the fight for Ecoust (map K6) near Arras was entrusted to both the 8th and the 9th, and after their success at Ecoust they were out of the line until 20 April.
- Page 250: On 7 May, the Gordons came up to attack Bullecourt near Ecoust (map K6). Twenty-two men were killed and 7 were listed as missing. Ten men awarded the Military Medal.
- Page 254: From May to September, there was a long spell of quiet. At Bailleulost, then Dickebusch, then Reninghelst in Belgium, the 8th and 9th Devons were inspected, then entrained for Proven. At Steenvoorde ( west of Hazbrouck), training took place at St. Martin au Leert. On 29 September, with a strength approximately 1,000 men, they proceeded to Abeele, 17 km. west of Ypres.
- Page 284: On 4 and 5 October, they were carrying parties and resting at Reninghelst.
- Page 288: On 24 October, the 9th relieved two battalions of the 14th Division in the front line, holding 200 yards of line on the right of the Menin road during Third Ypres, then crawling back to Blaringhem (near Hazebrouck-Nord, map I3). October was the worst month the 8th and 9th Devons ever experienced. The 9th listed 143 killed or missing and 151 wounded (page 293).
- Chapter XXV, page 322: On 17 November 1917, they were resting at Le Croquet (near Saint Ghislam, Belgium) and were inspected by the King of Belgium.
- Page 326: Both the 8th and 9th were transferred to Legnano, Italy. They were then moved to Giavera and later to Piave.
- Page 425: The 8th and 9th were held in reserve, with the 9th going into the trenches at the end of January 1918.
- Page 437: In April 1918, the 9th was billeted at Montecchio Maggiore.
- Page 438: On 13 September, they were moved back to France, first to St. Riquier, then to Canchy (near Abbeville).
- Page 435/6: On 8 October 1918, they were near Ponchaux. On 9 October, they were at Buitry Wood and Elincourt. On 23 October, they were fighting at Selle in Picardy. On 3 November, they were east of Bois l’Eveque. On 7 November, at Pommereuil, they fought their last fight. At the beginning of January 1919, the 9th Devons moved to Englefontaine, and on 27 January 1919, they were presented their King’s Colours. Demobilization began in January, but on 1st March 1919, 250 men of the 9th joined the 5th DCLI as part of the army of occupation.
Pte. Frank Roberts
British Army 2nd/8th Battalion. C Coy. Lancashire Fusiliers
from:Broughton, Preston
(d.4th Sept 1917)
Frank Roberts died of multiple wounds suffered in battle. He was admitted to the 1st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station on 4th of Sept 1917. He succumbed to his wounds on 5th September 1917 and was buried at the Adinkerke Military Cemetery. Aged 24 years He was the son of Edward and Margaret Roberts of The Cottage, Greyfriars, Broughton Preston.
Page 26 of 51
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