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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment
2nd Lt. W. A. L. Robinson
Army 11th Btn. The Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
(d.26th Jun 1917)
L/Cpl. W. J. Robinson
British Army 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles
L/Cpl. Walter Robinson
British Army 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry
from:Aycliffe
(d.21st Sep 1917)
Walter Robinson, L/Cpl 203818 , served in 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry and was killed in action, age 30, on the 21st September 1917. Remembered by his wife, father and mother, brother Leo in France, sister Daisy and brothers Arthur and Fred, POWs in Germany. He was the son of George and Sarah Robinson of Aycliffe. Husband of Catherine Robinson nee Young.
Pte. Walter Robinson
British Army 7th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment
from:Church Lanacashire
(d.17th Sep 1918)
Walter Robinson was my Great Uncle, I'd like to confirm that he served with the above battalion and if you could let me know if there are any photos of the said battalion.
Editors Note: The army number given - 36003 - relates to a Private Walter Robinson who served in the 7th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment and who had former service with the Royal Army Medical Corps (103775). The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records a death on the 17th September 1918 and memorial at Janval Cemetery, Dieppe.
Rifleman William James Robinson
British Army 8th Battalion, C Coy. The Rifle Brigade
from:Ryland Road, Birmingham
(d.15th Sept 1916)
Rifleman Z/1227 William James Robinson, 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade, “C” Company is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial face 16B/16C
He was killed, on 15th September 1916 at the battle of Flers and Courcellete. It is likely he was killed by German enfilade fire from Pint Trench as the Battalion attacked Flers from the rear of Delville Wood as they advanced out of Brown Trench.
William was born on 6th June 1895 in Birmingham, the eldest son of William James Robinson (b.1871) and Georgina Robinson (b.1876). Before enlisting he lived with his parents and brothers and sisters; Nellie (b.1896), Albert (b.1899), Elsie (b.1904), Rose (b.1907) and George (b.1910) and Edna (b 1913). The family home was a back-to-back house in Edgbaston, Birmingham. The house had a kitchen/living room, a bedroom and an attic. William’s occupation at 15, listed on the 1911 Census return was Capstan Operator. He lived in the same house all of his short life.
William became one of the many soldiers known as ‘Kitchener’s New Army’ that were used to fill the ranks when after the British standing Army and Reservists “The Old Contemptibles” were decimated in the first few months of the War.
He was among the early volunteers enlisting after the declaration of war in August 1914. This is indicated by the “Z” prefix to his service number. The “Z” Prefix was used by the Rifle Brigade for Special Reservists signing up for a period of three years and was only used for about 1 month. All the men with “Z” prefixes enlisted in late August 1914 to mid September 1914 and numbered just short of 3000.
At the time of his enlistment he would still have had the choice of regiments to serve in, so he actually chose to join the Rifle Brigade. The 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade was part of the 14th (Light) Division. The Division was called Light as it contained all Light Infantry battalions such as the Rifle Brigade and the Kings Royal Rifle Corps.
His 1914-15 Star Roll shows that he entered theatre on the 9/8/15. Before then it is likely he was training or at the depot of the 5th or 6th Rifle Brigade in the Isle of Sheppey. These training and feeder battalions were also used as the north River Thames Garrison on Guard duty.
Unfortunately, his record, where his destination in France would have been listed, has not survived. However, it is possible he would have gone to an Infantry Base Depot in France (most likely the 47th at Havre) and then from there would have been posted to the 8th Rifle Brigade.
His record would also have recorded the exact date that he arrived with the 8th Battalion in the field. However, there were drafts of men who joined the 8th to reinforce after the Battle of Hooge, on the following days:-
110 draft - 9/8/1915, 50 draft - 14/8/1915, 67 draft - 22/8/1915
It is very unlikely but possible that he joined with the 9/8/1915 draft. It is more likely he joined with the 14/8/1915 or 22/8/1915 drafts of men, which probably meant he was at the 47th Infantry Brigade Depot at Havre for a couple of days before being posted to the 8th Rifle Brigade.
The Battalion war diaries show that he served in and around the Ypres/Arras and Poperinge areas before moving down to the Somme area just before the battle of Flers and on the 15th September 1916.
According to Trevor Pidgeon (Flers & Gueudecourt 2002), the men of the 14 Division (of which the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade were part) were deployed along the Longueval-Ginchy road and out into the fields north of Delville Wood. The area was called the Brewery so-called because of the trench names Beer, Ale, Hop, Lager, Stout, Bitter, Pilsen, Pint, Porter and VAT. Many of these trenches were still held by the Germans so that when the British advanced they would be superb enfilade targets for the German machine gun and rifle fire.
The leading troops at zero hour were to be the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade and the 8th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. William’s Company (Company “C”) was in Brown Trench. At zero hour the Company was to advance in a north easterly direction towards Flers.
According to the war diaries of the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade, there was an intense bombardment at zero hour (6.20 a.m.). The battalion moved forward under the barrage. For the first 150 yards casualties were reasonably light, however in the next 200 yards they came under heavy fire and the casualties were very high. This was mainly due to heavy fire from Pint Trench. It is likely but not certain that William was killed during that fateful 200 yards. The Battalion did continue its advance and by around 7.00 a.m. had captured its objective, Switch Trench, but in doing so encountered formidable resistance involving fierce hand to hand fighting, so he may have been killed there.
Captain S. J. Worsley, D.S.O., M.C. describes the fighting around Delville Wood as follows:-
Every semblance of a trench seemed full of dead-sodden, squelchy, swollen bodies. Fortunately the blackening faces were invisible except when Verey lights lit up the indescribable scene. Not a tree stood whole in that wood. Several, including myself, had dysentery, and that in a ghastly battered trench with no prospect of medical attention. After all, we stood and lay on putrefying bodies and the wonder was that the disease did not finish off what the shells of the enemy had started. There was hand-to-hand fighting with knives, bombs, and bayonets; cursing and brutality on both sides such as men can be responsible for when it is a question of "your life or mine"; mud and filthy stench; dysentery and unattended wounds; shortage of food and water and ammunition.
From an historic point of view the attack was the very first to see the use of the new ‘tanks’ in combat. The Rifle Brigade was to be protected by Tank D1, commanded by Captain Harold Mortimore. Although the tank was able to clear the Brewery Trench, it was early on hit by a shell which put it out of action. William’s Company (“C”) were within a hundred yards or so of the tank.
It has not been possible to discover exactly how he died, by bullet, shell, grenade or hand to hand fighting. However, following his death, some personal possessions were returned to his parents. So at some point I assume there must have been an identifiable body (which it is always possible was buried in a makeshift grave). But as his death is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing, then the body or possibly grave must have subsequently been destroyed.
William James Robinson like the millions of other young men of his generation lived, fought and died in conditions so horrendous that we can scarcely comprehend. His sacrifice will be remembered in perpetuity by a grateful family. His body lies somewhere in that corner of a foreign field that will be forever England.
Rfm. William Robinson
British Army 13th Btn Rifle Brigade
from:York Road, Battersea, London
(d.10th Jan 1918)
William Robinson was my paternal Grandfather's brother. I have very little information about William, just the letters from the Army informing his father that he was presumed to have been killed on 10.1.1918, and the standard letter from The King. He served with the 13th Btn Rifle Brigade Prince Consorts Own and was killed at the Ypres Salient. His name is recorded on The Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.
Pte. William Robinson
British Army 1st Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
from:Chesterfield, Derbyshire
(d.10th April 1917)
William Robinson was executed for desertion 10/04/1917 and buried in Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, Peronne, France. He was the son of Joseph Robinson, of 3, Church Alley, Chesterfield, Derbys.
Capt. William Leefe Robinson VC
Royal Air Force
from:South Coorg, Southern India
(d.31st Dec 1918)
Capt. William L. Robinson, died 31st December 1918 at age 23. His grave is in the South East part in Harrow Weald (All Saints) Churchyard Extension in Middlesex. He was the son of Horace and Elizabeth Robinson, of Kaima Betta Estate, South Coorg, Southern India. His brother Harold was also killed in Mesopotamia.
An extract from the London Gazette, dated 5th September 1916, records: "For most conspicuous bravery. He attacked an enemy airship under circumstances of great difficulty and danger, and sent it crashing to the ground as a flaming wreck. He had been in the air for more than two hours, and had previously attacked another airship during his flight."
William Leefe Robinson VC
Royal Flying Corps
(d.31st December 1918)
William Leefe Robinson VC was a prisoner in Zorndorf and Holzminden POW Camps. Several times he tried to escape but was not successful. He was badly treated by the German guards. He died on 31st December 1918.
Sgt. William Edward Robinson
British Army 6th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles
William Robinson was my grandfather, born in 1880. He joined the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles in 1914 and was at Gallipoli. Family stories say the unit he was with was attacked when he was away obtaining water and on his return found comrades dead or dying. I cannot prove or disprove this story. At some point he was transferred to the 1st Battalion. Family lore says he was wounded first with the 6th and then later at the Somme so possibly the transfer from 6th to 1st was for this reason. His Medal Roll card confirms he entered the Balkans (Mudros) on 22nd of July 1915. I know little more, he died when I was 3 so what information I have comes from what my (now deceased) father and uncle told me.
Interestingly, he also fought in the Boer War but the medal he kept and wore, is in another soldier's name. His WW1 medals are in his name. I would love to know more and have tried many records to no avail.
Cpl. Wilson Robinson
British Army 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry
Sgt. William Alexander Robison
British Army 46th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
from:Staffordshire
(d.25th September 1915)
William Robison served with 46th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.
Sister. Robson
Queen Alexandras Nursing Service No. 32 Stationary Hospital
Pte. A. W. Robson
British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Coxhoe
A Robson suffered wounds to his back and abdomen
Pte. Albert Robson
British Army 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
(d.8th May 1915)
Sjt. Arthur Robson
British Army 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
(d.12th Feb 1915)
Tptr. Frank Monroe Robson
British Army 103rd Brigade, D Bty. Royal Field Artillery
from:18 Chilwell Street, Linton, Notts
(d.5th June 1917)
Frank Robson, was my uncle. I have only just re-discovered my family having found my sister after 54 years. Frank was one of 9 children 7 of which emigrated to the USA. I have visited Hop Store Cemetery, where he is buried, several times but did not know that is his last resting place.
George Robson
British Army 2nd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Regiment
from:Ryhope, Sunderland
(d.1st July 1916)
George Robson, miner from Ryhope Sunderland died on the 1st day of the Battle on the Somme. He served with the Kings Own Yorkshire Regiment 2nd battalion. Service number 22872, he was 19 years old.
Cpl. George Robson
British Army 20th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
from:50 Stavordale St. Dawdon.
(d.5th Jun 1917)
George Robson's body was never recovered, he is remembered on the Arras Memorial to the missing. Aged 22, he was the son of George and Mary Jane Robson of 50 Stavordale Street, Dawdon, Seaham, Co. Durham.
Pte. George Robson
British Army 1/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry
(d.22nd May 1915)
George Robson was my great uncle. He was in Sanctuary Wood, Fortuin Ypres, in May 1915 with the 1/5th Durham Light Infantry. Found from a war dairy of an eye witness, Rodger Stamp, George was hit in the neck by rifle fire and died the following day. Roger Stamp was one of the burial party, but George has no known grave.
Able.Sea. Harry Robson
Royal Navy Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division
(d.24th Jan 1917)
Harry Robson, Able Seaman TZ/252, served in Hawke Battalion, Royal Naval Division and died age 25 on the 24th January 1917. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St Paul's Church and is buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension
Harry was born in Jarrow 1891, son of John and Margaret Robson of Jarrow.
Pte. Henry T. Robson
British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Blaydon
Henry Robson was wounded in March 1916
Sjt. J. Robson
Army 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry
James William Robson
Army 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry
I'm trying to find any imfo on my great granddad James William Robson who I'm told served in the 12th DLI in the first world war his number was 17090. Can anyone give me any information?
Pte. James Edward Robson
Remounts Corps Army Service Corps
Pte. James Robson
British Army 1/7th Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Jarrow
(d.15th September 1916)
James Robson, Private 292197, enlisted at Wallsend and served in the 1st/7th Battalion , Northumberland Fusiliers. He died age 21 on the 15th September 1916 and is remembered at Jarrow Library also at Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals as well as his being missing presumed dead. It also records previous regimental numbers as 5/3363 and 7/6095 implying previous service in the 5th and 7th Battalions.
James was born in Jarrow 1895 son of Thomas Robson, 45 Commercial Road, Jarrow and the late Maria Robson nee James. In the 1911 census James is 16 years old, a Coal Hawker, living at 57 Back Commercial Road, Jarrow with his father Thomas(46) a self employed Gardener and his mother Maria(47)married for 16 years, 3 children of which two survived, so the other child is living elsewhere.
- 1/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers
- August 1914 : in Alnwick. Part of Northumberland Brigade, Northumbrian Division.
- April 1915 : landed in France.
- May 1915 : became 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, in France
- 12 February 1918 : transferred to 42nd (East Lancashire) Division and converted to Pioneer Battalion.
- 50th (Northumbrian Brigade in 1916
- The Battle of Flers-Courcelette*
- The Battle of Morval*
- The Battle of the Transloy Ridges*
- * the battles marked * are phases of the Battles of the Somme 1916
John Robson
British Army
John Robson is inscribed on the Foundry Section of the Palmer Cenotaph but little else is known concerning him. The three most likely candidates are listed below in the hope that someone may know further details and help to tell his story.
1. L/Cpl 9889 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. Born Jarrow. Killed in action 12th October 1916.
2. Sgt. 10119 2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. Born South Shields. died from his wounds 27th February 1918.
3. Spr. 470617 1st/2nd Durham Fort Company Royal Engineers. Born Jarrow. Killed in action 24th July 1916.
Pte. John Robson
British Army 150th Company Machine Gun Corps
from:Great Whittington
(d.19th Sep 1916)
John Robson was born in 1882 at Sunnyside Farm, Great Whittington (later known as the Whiggs) the son of John Robson and Isabella (nee Jackson) the innkeeper of the Queen’s Head, Great Whittington, Northumberland. In 1911 John had been working on a farm for Elizabeth Blackburn at Dukesfield Hall near Hexham and was a farm worker when he had enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers. He later became a member of the 150th Company of the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry).
The Hexham Courant carried news of his death in hospital from wounds – mentioning his sister Mrs Elizabeth Burn of the Square in Humshaugh, Northumberland. This was Elizabeth Robson who had married Thomas Burn on New Year’s Eve at Corbridge 1903. Private John Robson, aged 35, was wounded and later died in hospital in France on September 19th 1916 and is buried in the St Sever Cemetery near Rouen. His name is recorded on the commemorative wooden plaque recently discovered in the Wesleyan Chapel at Great Whittington.
Pte. John Robson
British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Blaydon
John Robson was wounded in July 1916
L/Cpl. Joseph Robson
British Army 4th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
from:Sunderland.
(d.10th May 1915)
My great great Uncle was in WW1 and died in 1915, Lance Corporal Joseph Robson, 4th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps. Aged 22 he was killed on 10/05/1915. He was the son of Mrs. Sarah Turnbull (formerly Robson), of 35, Palmer st., Sunderland, and the late Mr. E. Robson. His name is listed on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. if you know any infomation please e-mail me. Thank you ever so much
Page 34 of 51
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