Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Robert was born at Bishop Auckland in 1895. He was the son of Robert (a whitesmith by trade) who died in 1894 so it is possible that his father never met his new son. His mother was Hannah Agnes (nee Whensley) who married her second husband, Robert Key in 1897.
As well as Robert, Hannah also had a daughter Amelia to her first husband. After she remarried further youngsters arrived.
By 1901 the family had moved and grown. The home address was 25 Sandringham Road Gosforth, Newcastle. Three more children had arrived by now - Richard, Thomas (who died aged 11) and Albert. A boarder was also living with them at that time.
1911 saw another 3 girls arrive, Winifred, Ena and Lenora and also the family had now moved to Barnard Castle.
Before the war Robert had been a shoemaker like his stepfather. He enlisted and served with the DLI as service no. 3218. Later his number changed to 250351. He was with the 1/6th Battalion DLI where he was promoted to sergeant. He was sent to France on June 27th 1915.
On 21 March 1918, the German Army attacked on the Somme. Moved forwards to the front line south of Peronne, the 1st/6th Battalion was soon in retreat along with the rest of 151 Brigade. Fighting on the River Lys in April further reduced the strength of the battalion. Then, on 27 May, the 1st/6th Battalion with the rest of the weakened brigade was destroyed in fighting on the River Aisne.
Robert was killed in action on April 9th 1918 probably in this battle.
Robert William Theakston is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 75
