Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Bernard Robinson was born 1875 at Wolsingham, County Durham, one of 12 children, 6 boys, 4 girls and 2 deceased (gender unknown) born to James Robinson 1839 native of Menston, Yorkshire and his wife Margaret born 1844 at Wolsingham. His father and elder brother in 1891 worked as labourers at the quarry in Wolsingham, later in 1901 when they had moved to Annfield Plain all the male members of the family were coal hewers with the exception of the youngest, Joseph, who worked below ground as a driver. William’s father passed away in about 1908, his widow Margaret continued to live at Garden Terrace, Stanley supported by her three unmarried sons, John 45, William 34 and Joseph 23.
William Bernard Robinson enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1914 as Private 3809 Northumberland Fusiliers initially posted to the Tyne Defences, he was not drafted to France until on or after January 1916 as Private 240891, 5th Battalion, attached to the 149th Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division. The Second Battle of Ypres had concluded and preparations were underway for the Battles of the Somme during which the 50th Division saw action at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, Morval and Transloy Ridge. In October 1916 they were on the Butte of Warlencourt until being relieved by the 151st Brigade, involved in day to day trench warfare away from the front line, returning to the front line trenches at Warlencourt, November 10th 1916.
Private 240891 William Bernard Robinson Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action November 14th 1916, he was 42 years old and single. William has no known grave, his sacrifice is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Somme, France, panel 10/11/12B, one of 72,246 names of United Kingdom and South African officers and servicemen who perished on the Somme 1916-1918.
As his sole beneficiary his mother received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to Garden Terrace, Stanley, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Bernard Robinson is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04 at Stanley St. Joseph's S135.03 and at Stanley St. Andrew's S135.04
