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Photo: Derek Haynes
The headstone reads:
In loving memory of
Pte. Francis Cutchie
beloved son of
William & Catherine Robinson
who died of gas poison in Duston
War Hospital, Northampton
Aug. 19 1917 aged 20 years.
Derek Haynes has submitted the following:
Francis was born 12th November 1896 at 1 Dean Terrace, Southwick, the youngest child of William & Catherine Robinson (nee Dobson). He was baptised 22nd November 1896 in Holy Trinity Church, Southwick. His parents William and Catherine were married September Q 1893 Sunderland.
Their first child Elizabeth Ann was born 28th March 1894, also at 1 Dean Terrace, and was baptised 18th April 1894 in Holy Trinity Church, Southwick.
Catherine was William’s second wife. He married his first wife, Elizabeth Hetherington, in the December Q 1873 in Sunderland. She died on the 21st May 1889 and was buried in Southwick Cemetery on the 26th May 1889.
There were eight children from this first marriage of whom I can be certain:
Margaret Ann Robinson born December Q 1874
William Robinson born June Q 1876
Thomas Robinson born September Q 1878
Elizabeth Robinson born June Q 1880
Joseph Robinson born March Q 1882
Beatrice Robinson born March Q 1884 (Beatrice died on the 1st December 1884 and was buried on the 3rd December 1884 in Southwick Cemetery).
Maria Robinson born December Q 1885
Florence Robinson born March Q 1888
There is also a child named Harrison Robinson who is on the 1901 census whose age is given as 19 years, the same age as Joseph. I can find no birth record for him nor does he appear on the 1891 or the 1911 census.
In 1901 Francis (known by the family as Frank) was residing at 1 Dean Terrace, Southwick with his parents William (who was employed as a Bricklayer) and Catherine and four children from the first marriage, Joseph, Maria, Alice and Harrison (see above).
By 1911 the family was residing in four rooms at 24 Dean Terrace, Southwick. The family consisted of William and Catherine, also Joseph the eldest son from the first marriage, now aged 28, who was employed as a riveter; Elizabeth, aged 17 and Frank, aged 14. Frank was employed at the time as assisting the slot meter collector for the Gas Company; prior to enlisting he was employed as a shipwright.
Frank’s medal card shows he initially enlisted in the 13th Territorial Reserve Battalion and was given the service number 8859. He was then transferred to the 5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment and his new service number was 41420.
Unfortunately apart from the medal card no records of Frank’s army service can be found.
Sadly on the 19th August 1917 aged 20 years Frank died from the effects of gas poisoning at Dunston War Hospital, Northampton where he had been a patient. His body was returned home and he was laid to rest on the 25th August 1917 in Section E Grave no. 1573 of Southwick Cemetery.
The headstone which stands at the head of his grave was erected by the family (it is not the standard CWGC memorial). This headstone is in a very poor condition in much need of repair. To date, after contacting Sunderland Council and the CWGC, I have had no success in getting the stone repaired. In its present condition it is a headstone not worthy of a 20 year old who gave his life for his country.
No records exist of who purchased the grave.
His father William, aged 70 years, died on the 28th February 1919 and was laid to rest on the 6th March 1919 in the same plot as his son.
His mother Catherine died at the age of 86 years in early March 1941 and was laid to rest on the 11th March 1941 in Section E Grave no. 1575, the plot next to her husband and son.
Both died at their family home 24 Dean Terrace, Southwick.
Soldiers Died in the Great War states that Frank was formerly in the D.L.I. prior to joining the Lincolnshire Regiment and had the service number 656. His medal card does not tally with this. It also records he died in France & Flanders whereas the inscription on his headstone states he died in Dunston Hospital as recorded above.
I have confirmed that he died in Northampton as his death is registered in the GRO Death Register:"Robinson Francis C. September Q 1917 Northampton 3b 82. "
The age is incorrect on this record which states he was 18 years whereas Francis was 20 at the time of his death.
Francis Cutchie Robinson is remembered in Southwick on S130.03, in Sunderland on S140.027, in the Roll of Honour on page 84 (as Francis Citshie Robinson) and page 261. He is also listed in Peter Gibson's book
