Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Robert the son of George Jeremiah and Sarah Elizabeth (nee Dawson) was born on December 19th 1896 and later baptised on January 13th 1897 at West Cornforth. The couple married at Stockton in 1890 and went on to have 7 children although sadly 1 died.
In 1901 Father, George was working as a coal hewer. His children were Eliza Ella, Frederick, Agnes Rose, and Margaret Alice.
On the 1911 census life went on as usual in the Grint household except for a couple of additions to the family - Minnie and Edna. Also by this time Fred at 17 is also working at the pit but as a coal miner /putter. No employment is shown for Robert aged 14.
Robert enlisted at Coxhoe on December 11th 1915 and was then posted to the Army Reserve on December 12th 1915. He is recorded as being 5’3” tall with light brown hair, weighed 131lbs, fresh complexion and blue eyes. His physical condition was considered good.
He was mobilized on April 19th 1918 then the following day posted to 4th Battalion DLI at Seaham Harbour. Whilst he was at Seaham Harbour he seemed to be often absent from his camp without permission. For example, on April 28th 1918 he left his station about 9.30pm and remained absent until he was apprehended by M.P.s at Hartlepool at 4.25pm on April 29th 1918. He forfeited 5 days and confined to barracks for 5 days. On June 15th 1918 he overstayed his pass until 7.30pm on the 17th which resulted in forfeiting 5 days pay and 5 days confinement to barracks for that incident. Then again on July 24th 1918 he left his post station without permission about 6.45am and remained absent until 9.00pm on the 29th. He was issued with 168 hours detention, forfeited 14 days pay and again confined to barracks.
He embarked for France from Folkestone September 12th 1918 and was then posted to 15th Battalion DLI. He arrived in the field September 17th 1918 but in just over a month he was killed in action on October 23rd 1918.
Robert’s older brother Fred was also killed during WW1 on March 26th 1918 only 7 months before his brother.
Medals: British war Medal and Victory Medal
Robert Grint is remembered at Coxhoe on C103.01 and at Tursdale on T62.02
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 293
