Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Joseph Robson, one of 10 children, 3 sons, 3 daughters and 4 gender unknown, of whom by 1911 only 5 had survived was the youngest of his known siblings. His parents Joshua Robson born 1844 at Houghton-le-Spring and Jane Temple native of Fence Houses born 1847, both in County Durham, were married in 1866 in the district of Tynemouth. In 1871 they were living at Wolsingham Road, Tow Law, County Durham with their daughter Sarah, 2 years of age, Joshua was employed as a colliery blacksmith. Over the next ten years his wife gave birth to a further 3 children, Barbara in 1869, John Thomas 1874 and Jane 1876 all at Tow Law, Crook. Joshua was working at Wooley Colliery in 1881 as a coal miner, the family occupied, 74, Wooley Terrace. They remained at Wooley Terrace and ten years later had had a further 2 sons, William Henry in 1885 and Joseph 1887. By now John Thomas (17) had joined his father at the colliery as a coal miner, Barbara (19) had acquired the skills of dressmaking, Jane (15) was a pupil teacher, William Henry (6) attended school while Joshua (3) remained at home with his mother. Sadly, their daughter Jane died in 1893 aged 17 years. In the census of 1901 they are listed at 23, South Terrace, Brandon and Byshottle, all the male members of the family were employed, Joshua and his son John Thomas (27) were coal hewers, William Henry (16) a labourer below ground, Joseph (13) worked as a pit heap lad above ground. Joshua Robson died in 1907 registered in the district of Durham, aged 63 years. As his elder siblings were married it was Joseph who supported his widowed mother employed as a coal hewer and in 1911 they were living in 3 rooms at 3½ New House Road, Esh Winning, County Durham. Jane Robson re-married in 1909 in the district of Wolsingham, County Durham to Thomas Batey.
Joseph Robson was one of the first to enlist at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, November 26th 1914, where he was assigned to the newly formed 23rd (Service) Battalion (4th Tyneside Scottish), Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 1242. The 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd Pals Battalions moved to Alnwick Camp in the grounds of Alnwick Castle in March 1915 and formed the 102nd Brigade, 34th Division in June 1915. Taken over by the War Office in August that year they were sent to Salisbury Plain for final training and crossed to France in January 1916 concentrating at La Crosse, east of St. Omer.
Wounded in the line of duty, exact date unknown, Private Robson was evacuated back through the lines to Merville, a billeting and hospital centre of the 7th and Lahore Casualty Clearing Stations. Private 1242 Joseph Robson Northumberland Fusiliers died of wounds sustained, February 21st 1916 and interred at Merville Communal Cemetery, Nord, France, grave VI. L. 4. He was 29 years of age and single.
His mother Jane received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her at Grace Villa, Station Road, Ushaw Moor, County Durham.
1918 was also a tragic year as Jane’s daughter Sarah Hillary nee Robson died aged 50 years.
Jane Batey-Robson nee Temple died aged 76 years in 1923 registered in the district of Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Joseph Robson is remembered at Esh Laude on E73.01and at Ushaw Moor on U8.02 and U8.03
