Brenda McMahon and Eric Mitchenson have submitted the following :-
Robert was born at Lamesley the son of John and Jane (nee Davidson) in 1896. His siblings were John Elliot, Isabella, William, Elizabeth, Mary and George.
In 1901 and 1911 the family were living at Causey Row Kibblesworth in a three roomed house. In 1911 his father was now a deputy overman. Brother John was a coal putter whilst Robert was a pony driver.
Robert joined the army at Birtley 9 September 1914. He was shown as fit on his medical examination, he was 5’8” tall with brown hair and eyes. His religion was Church of England.
Posted to the 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, in September 1914 they were stationed at Newcastle, in November they moved to Pirbright. In February 1915 they moved to Witley, March they moved to Larkhill.
Robert Mitchenson along with the 11th Durham Light Infantry landed at Harve in France on the 20th July 1915, this is confirmed on his medal Roll card (date of entry theatre 20/7/15)
Home: 9 Sept 1914—19 July 1915 France: 20 July 1915—5 November 1915
25th September 1915 Robert was in the Battle of Fromelles he was wounded in this battle On the 6 November 1915 he was on board a "CC Ship" (Casualty Clearing Ship) bound for EnglandHome: 6 November 1915—9 April 1917 Embarked at FolkestoneDisembarked Boulogne France
France: 10 April 1917—23 June 1917. Posted to the 14th Durham Light Infantry
25 May 1917 53rd Casualty Clearing Station with Trench Foot. 29th May 1917 arrived at 4 Stationary Hospital (Arques France) with Mild Trench Foot 5th June 1917 discharged back to unit
18th June 1917 during a raid into the German Trenches Robert was badly wounded he was evacuated from the battlefield by the 18th Field Ambulance, Robert had received a saver gunshot wound to his left shoulder
23rd June 1917 Robert is Evacuated out of France on a Casualty Clearing Ship bound for the UK. 24th June 1917 arrived at the City Of London Military Hospital for treatment 28th July 1917 discharged from the City of London Hospital (perfect recovery)
Home; 24 June 1917—30 October 1917
30th October 1917 he arrived and was posted to the 14th Durham Light Infantry.
France 31 October 1917—21 March 1918
2nd November 1917 posted to the 2nd Durham Light Infantry. 4th November 1917 arrived at the 2nd DLI.
Robert took part in two more major battles - 30th Nov—3rd December 1917 The German Counter Attacks and First Battles of the Somme 1918 21st March Battle of St Quentin.
Robert had not taken to the discipline of army life. His conduct record was poor. It shows that he was impudent to his N.C.O., he was inattentive in the ranks and was punished many, many times for overstaying his pass. His punishments consisted of FP2, confinement to barracks and losing pay.
Robert Mitchenson was reported missing in the field on the 21st March 1918 On the 4th June 1918 he was "struck off strength" from the 2nd DLL it was later o that he was presumed dead in the 21st March 1918 battle Confirmed Killed in Action 21st March 1918.
Robert is listed on the Arras Memorial along with thousands of his other comrades. The Memorial shows 35,000 UK, South African and New Zealand soldiers lost between spring 1916 until August 1918.
Robert was awarded the 1914-15 Star, The British War Medal and The Victory Medal all sent to his father who was now living at 20 Westminster Street Gateshead.
Robert Cowley Mitchenson is remembered at Kibbleworth on K23.02 where he is incorrectly shown as Pte T Mitchenson and at Birtley on B127.01
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 55
