Hooge Crater Cemetery

Hooge Crater Cemetery

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

John Henry Robson, known as Jack, was the eldest of 9 children, 6 sons and 3 daughters, of whom only 8 survived. His father Alfred Robson was born 1875 at Riseburn, County Durham, a lost industrial village consisting of 3 U-shaped terraces with a Methodist Church in the middle, now demolished, it was south of Middridge, near Shildon. He was married in the district of Bishop Auckland in 1894 to Mary Elizabeth Yates, native of Newfield, County Durham, born March 12th 1875. John Henry was born in 1895, Hannah 1897, Alfred Jnr 1899 and Florence May in 1901 while they were living at Arthur Street, in the village of Eldon Lane district of Bishop Auckland, Alfred Snr was employed as a bricklayer. Alfred Jnr died the following year during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1902 only 3 years old, while Sarah was pregnant with their 5th child Esther born 1903. Clyde, George Edward, Joseph and Alfred were also born at Eldon Lane, 1906, 1908, 1910 and 1911 respectively. In 1911 the family was living at David Terrace, Coronation, South Church, County Durham. Alfred Snr was a general labourer at the colliery supporting his family with the help of Jack now 16 years old also employed as a driver/miner. Hannah (14) remained at home with her mother to assist with housework and looking after the little ones, George, Joseph and Alfred. Florence (10), Esther (8) and Clyde (5) attended school.

Britain declared a state of war with Germany, August 4th 1914, it was not until July 27th 1915 that Jack enlisted at Bishop Auckland under his full name of John Henry Robson. Assigned as Private 4111 he was posted to the 3/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry a Territorial Force formed from not only new recruits but also members of 2nd/6th Battalion after the departure of the 1/6th Battalion for the Western Front. The 3rd/6th was made up of men unfit for active duty, however, it also trained the new recruits for active service overseas as well as being part of the Coastal Defences. August 1916 the 3rd/6th was amalgamated with the 3/5th,3/7th,3/8th and 3/9th to form the 5th Reserve Territorial Force and moved to Catterick. Private Robson received notice he was to be sent overseas and was assigned a new service number 43728. Prior to his departure Jack was married during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1917 to Sarah I. Campbell who was already carrying his child. Having joined his regiment at the 35th Infantry Base Depot, Etaples Private Robson was posted to’A’ Coy, 13th Battalion Durham Light infantry in the field, attached to the 68th Brigade, 23rd Division, engaging the enemy on the Ypres salient in Belgium. They engaged the enemy June 7th-14th 1917 at the Battle of Messines and saw front line action again September 20th-26th 1917 during the Battle of Menin Road.

Private 43728 John Henry Robson Durham Light Infantry was killed in action, September 21st 1917. During the clearing of the battlefields, July 7th 1919, his remains were found in an unmarked grave, map reference J. 21. a. 9. 2., during the exhumation his identity was confirmed by means of a disc. He was brought into Hooge Crater Cemetery, near Ypres, Belgium for reburial with all honour and reverence by an Army Chaplain, he is at rest grave XV. A. 17.

His widow Sarah of 7, Lismore Terrace, Springwell, Gateshead, County Durham, received all monies due to him and a pension for herself and their daughter Mary E. Robson born during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1917. His awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to her during 1920 and the 2 discs retrieved from her husband’s remains April 25th 1921 at her new address of 3, Wards Buildings, Springwell.

It is possible that Sarah never remarried and may have died in 1962 aged 66 years registered in the district of Gateshead, County Durham. Details as regards their daughter, as yet unknown.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

John Henry Robson is remembered at Bishop Auckland on B140.27, Part 05

He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 257

The CWGC entry for Private Robson