Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert Sweeney was born at Gateshead, County Durham, one of 10 children he was the eldest of 5 sons, he had 1 elder half-sister, 1 elder and 4 younger full blood sisters. His father Robert born in 1856 at Barnard Castle, Yorkshire was brought by his parents to Newcastle-upon-Tyne by 1863 and finally to Gateshead, County Durham by 1871 where his family lived at Oakwellgate, a street leading down to the River Tyne mainly inhabited by Irish immigrants like his father, Robert Snr who was employed as a labourer.
Robert was married in 1876 to Alice Rebecca Elliot with whom he had a daughter Margaret, named after his mother, born the following year. After the death of his wife he remarried in 1890 to Patience Ball, native of Leeds born 1871, settling at 23, Amberley Street where daughter Mary Patience was born in 1891. He was employed as a gas worker, daughter Margaret (14) worked at the ropery. By 1911 they were living at 51, Watson Street, Teams, their family now complete. Robert was still employed at Redheugh Gas Works, Mary Patience (21) helped her mother with domestic chores eldest son Robert Jnr (19) worked as a coal miner/putter, Susannah (17) at the ropery, Joseph (15), Richard (13) and Frances (11) were scholars, George (8), Florence May (5), Elizabeth (3) and Benjamin (1 month) remained at home with their mother.
Robert Sweeney Jnr was married during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep)1913 to Matilda McCall with whom he had 2 children, Robert E Sweeney born 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1913 who died at 1 year of age in 1915 and William during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1916.
He enlisted on the outbreak of war November 2nd 1914 assigned as Private 2097 Durham Light Infantry, he joined the 9th Battalion, a Territorial Force until being transferred to the 1st/8th Battalion with a change of service number to 302893. Although the first draft of men left for France April 19th 1915 he did not join them at the front until July 6th 1916.
He joined his regiment on the battlefield of the Ypres salient attached to the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division where it served until August 1916 in the sector of Armentieres and Kemmel considered as a, “quite” area but they rarely had a day free from casualties by shell or sniper fire. They moved to the Somme September 1916 and again suffered heavy losses fighting south of La Sars and at the Butte de Warlencourt November 5th. The final attack launched in the mud and rain failed and the battalion lost almost 150 men killed or wounded. During 1917 they fought at the Battle of Arras taking part in the major trench raid at Cherisy in September and having returned to Belgium in October and November during the Third Battle of Ypres also known as the Battle of Passchendaele spending another winter in the mud filled trenches of the salient. When March 21st 1918 the German Army attacked again on the Somme the 50th Division including the 1st/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry were in reserve and rushed into battle but were soon in retreat along with the rest of the Division. They participated during the fighting on the River Lys in April with the loss of many men then May 27th the 1st/8th Battalion D.L.I. was destroyed during the fighting on the River Aisne.
During his service Private Sweeney had risen through the ranks and at roll call after this final battle May 27th 1918 the now Lance Corporal 302793 Robert Sweeney 12th Platoon, C Coy 8th Battalion D.L.I. was reported as missing and his next of kin informed. It was not until December 2nd 1918 that the War Office confirmed his death. Lance Corporal Robert Sweeney during the battle had been wounded and captured by the Germans. Taken to the German field hospital at Cuiry-les-Chaudardes he had died May 31st 1918 confirmed by official German List D.20/112. The War Office concluded that there was sufficient evidence to conclude that he was dead giving instructions that the details of his demise and place of burial be forwarded when the particulars were available to his next of kin.
Having been buried by the Germans in the Aisne sector after Armistice it was decided that the remains of Commonwealth servicemen be brought into British cemeteries from German cemeteries along with isolated graves found on the battlefield. His widow received the following letter dated November 10th 1920, it reads, “Madam, I beg to inform you that owing to the agreement with the French and Belgian Governments to move all scattered graves for concentration in proper cemeteries, it has been necessary to exhume the body of the late No.302893 L/Cpl Robert Sweeney, 1/8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry, for reburial at LA VILLE-AUX-BOIS BRITISH CEMETERY, about 22 miles NORTH WEST OF RHEIMS. I am to say that the necessity for the removal is much regretted, but was found unavoidable for the reasons above given. I am to assure you that the work of re-burial has been carried out with every measure of care and reverence, and that special arrangements were made for the appropriate religious service to be held. I am Madam, Yours faithfully HC…for Colonel i/o. Infantry Records.”
Lance Corporal 302893 Robert Sweeney is at rest Ville-Aux-Bois British Cemetery, Aisne, France grave II. F. 16. At the time of his demise in 1918 he was 26 years of age. His widow Matilda received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their son as of July 1919 along with his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 82, Pine Street, Gateshead, County Durham.
Details of the demise of Matilda Sweeney nee McCall unknown, son William died at Gateshead in 1998 aged 82 years.
Robert’s younger brother Richard serving as Private 5097 9th Durham Light Infantry was killed September 16th 1916 whilst serving in France. Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal he was 18 years of age and single.
Robert Sweeney Snr died in 1922 aged 66 years, Patience Sweeney nee Ball aged 85 years in 1956, both registered in the district of Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Robert Sweeney is remembered at Gateshead in G39.004
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 137
