Western Hospital Torquay

Robert Harland was the eldest of 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters. His father Mark Harland Snr was born in 1869 at Peases Stanley, his mother Jane Anne Wood in 1875 at Bishop Auckland, both in County Durham. The couple were both living with their respective families at William Street, Craghead, prior to their marriage where Mark was employed as a coal miner. They were married at the Registry Office, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, January 2nd 1893.

Their daughter Elizabeth Ann was born in 1893, Robert, at Vigo, Birtley, in 1895, Mark at Fatfield near Washington in 1896 as was Alice 1898 and John William 1901. In 1901 they were living at 8, Washington Lane, in the village of North Roddick where Mark Snr was employed as a coal hewer, also in the household to supplement the family income was boarder, 56 years old William Holmes, a colliery labourer above ground. Their daughter Elizabeth Ann (8) was a visitor at Vigo Farm, Portobello Village, with Thomas and Mary Jane Blair. They remained at Fatfield and Mary Jane over the next ten years gave birth to a further 5 children, Dennis 1902 Thomas Blair 1904, Mary Jane 1906, Maggie, July 4th 1907 and Maria 1909. In 1911 they were living in 4 rooms at 26, Brown’s Buildings, Chester-le-Street, boarding with them was spinster, 67-year-old, Annie Maleing. Mark Snr was still employed as a hewer and had been joined by both Robert (16) and Mark (15) employed below ground as pony drivers. Daughter Florence was born in 1912.

Britain declared war with Germany August 4th 1914, his brother Mark enlisted at Chester-le-Street, February 3rd 1915, his father Mark Snr, June 26th 1915, however, it was not until February 14th 1917 that he left his employment as a cart-man and presented himself at the recruitment office. Posted initially to the barracks at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, he joined the 14th Battalion Labour Coy Durham Light Infantry as Private 63647 at Catterick Camp, Yorkshire. March 6th 1917 as part of the British Expeditionary Force he departed to France where he was transferred, March 13th, to the 8th Battalion Lincoln Regiment as Private 34686 and by the 18th to the 14th Battalion.

After 6 months in the field he returned to the Infantry Depot, shipped back to England and was a patient at the Western Hospital, Torquay, from May 3rd until May 26th 1917 having been diagnosed with Congenital Cataracts. The medical report reads as follows, “Both lenses removed at age of 7, but he has apparently not had lenses. Vision is not good, as both discs are pale. Suitable lenses now procured and vision is 6/36.”

Once discharged from hospital he was sent to duty, remaining in England. October 5th 1917 having been found to be permanently disabled he was posted to category ciii Class W Reserve, for soldiers whose services were deemed to be more of use in civil rather than military employment. As his disability began in childhood and could not be attributed to his military service Private Robert Harland was not entitled to a military pension. Awards British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Robert Harland may have died in 1965.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.