Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Robert was the son of William and Elizabeth (nee Hillary). He was born at Bowes in 1887.
1891 census shows his father working as a lead miner and farmer at Ox Pasture, Scargill farm. His siblings at that time were Mary, Joseph, himself and John.
1901 shows his father working as a farmer full time on his own account. Both his brother, Joseph and his sister, Mary worked on the farm also.
Robert was a butcher’s apprentice at this time. In 1904 a sister Nelly was born.
By 1911 Robert had left his home to continue his apprenticeship with local butcher, John Johnson who had a business in the Horsemarket. Robert was living with his employer’s family according to this census.
His mother, Elizabeth died in 1912.
On 7th August 1916 Robert married Harriet Annie Atkin at St Paul’s Parish Church, Stockton.
In April 1918 Robert was shot in the chest and taken to 62 Casualty Clearing Station for treatment but he died there on 25th April 1918.
In a letter to his widow, Sister E.M. Smith, states that “he was in the ward for several days and although he was always bright and cheerful his wound was of such a serious nature that it was impossible for him to recover. Just before he passed away he spoke of you and the little one.”
An inscription was added to his headstone :- ‘Trust God’
Robert left an estate of £332.8s.8d to his widow.
Recipient of the Victory Medal and British War Medal.
His older brother, John also fought in WW1 but survived the conflict.
Robert Fawcett is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
