Robert Wainwright
Thiepval Memorial
Ian Murray has submitted the following:-
Robert was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, on 17th November 1886, although there are some inconsistencies in his age in different documents. His father was Thomas Crozier and his mother, Mary Wainwright. In the 1891 census, Robert, and his sister, Harriet, are recorded as being “care children” of David and Marie Hewison (aged 61 and 60 respectively) of 10, Ellison Terrace, Newcastle. In the 1901 census, Robert is a boy under training on the Wellesley Training Ship in North Shields. His name is given as Robert C Wainwright, presumably the C standing for Crozier. Also at this time Harriett (sic) is a resident of the Dr. Barnado’s Village Home for Destitute Children in Barkingside, Ilford and is doing Laundry Work.
In 1906 Robert enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry Militia. His profession upon enlistment was tailor and he was recorded as being Roman Catholic. At the time of the 1911 census he was serving with the DLI in India.
In February 1914 Robert joined the North East Railway service as a platform porter at Lanchester. Robert as an Army Reservist was called up for service on August the 4th the same year. He embarked for France 8th September.
The Durham Advertiser 11/12/1914 reports:-
Private Robert Wainwright, of the 2nd Batt. D.L.I., who belongs to Gateshead and was employed as a railway porter at Lanchester Railway Station, prior to being called out as a reservist, has been wounded at the front and is at present convalescing at Lanchester. Wainwright was engaged with his company in the battle at Aisne and while a party was out reconnoitring they unexpectedly came upon a German trench from which the enemy fired upon them. Wainwright was shot in the shoulder and was first taken to the base hospital and was afterwards conveyed to Aldershot. He expects to be able to return to the firing line shortly.
Robert married Sarah Wright on 23rd October 1915 in Newcastle. Sarah’s father was a house painter as was David Hewison (Robert’s guardian) so this maybe how they met.
On 5th June 1916 Robert was admitted, with gunshot wound and shell shock, to the 65th Field Ambulance. He was soon back to duty and went missing on 16th July 1916. His date of death is given as 17th July 1916 and he is remembered on the memorial at Thiepval.
Less than one month later, on the 5th August 1916, his wife Sarah, who at this time was living at 57, Carlton Street, Newcastle, gave birth to a son, also called Robert.
The Newcastle Journal 25/08/1916 reports Robert missing.
Awards: British War Medal; Victory Medal.
Acknowledgements: The Darlington Railway Museum.
Robert Wainwright is remembered at Lanchester L62.01 L62.04 and L62.07
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 185
Wainwright, R., Porter Oper., Lanchester, Pte., Durham L.I. is listed on the North Eastern Railway Memorial at York.
