Tyne Cot Memorial: Pauline Priano
Tyne Cot Memorial: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Andrew Simpson Robson Jnr , one of 6 known children, was the 3rd born of 4 sons and had 2 elder sisters. Father Andrew Simpson Robson native of Walk and baptised at Humshaugh, Northumberland, November 1st 1857, having spent his youth growing up in rural Northumberland, by 1881 had settled with his family at Nest Road, Heworth, Gateshead, County Durham. Living at Coachman’s House, his father John was employed as a coachman and he now aged 23 years was a tailor. It was here that he met his future bride Elizabeth Mary Sharman born December 25th 1862 at Yarmouth, Norfolk, where she was baptised March 23rd 1863. She too had migrated with her family to the north east, they were married at Gateshead in 1882 subsequently moving to the Westgate area of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. Over the next 11 years his wife gave birth to 6 children Mary, April 4th 1883, Thomas 1886, Barbara 1888, Walter 1890, Andrew Simpson 1891 and John 1893. In 1891 they occupied 81a, George Street, Andrew still plied his trade employed as a tailor. Elizabeth was widowed at a young age when Andrew Simpson Robson Snr died in 1896, aged 38 years, tragically Elizabeth Mary Robson nee Sharman died 8 years later aged 41 years in 1904.
What became of Thomas (18), Barbara (16) and Walter (14) is unknown, however Andrew (20) and John (18), in 1911, were living with their eldest sister Mary, her husband Thomas Finlison and their 3 children in 4 rooms at 12, Ferguson Court, Railway Street, Newcastle. Andrew was employed as a holder-up at the ship yard, John a pot working general labourer, presumably at Pottery Lane close by.
Andrew was married in the parish of St. Mary’s, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, April 13th 1913 to Marjorie Ann Quinn native of Newcastle, born January 15th 1892 and with whom he had a son Francis George Quinn Robson, March 4th 1915 at Elswick, Newcastle.
Prior to the outbreak of war Andrew had enlisted for 2 years 47 days with the 2nd/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers of the Territorial Force. He received notice June 20th 1915 to rejoin the Colours at Newcastle Barracks by July 4th 1915, however, he was not mobilised on this occasion.
He signed up at Newcastle, December 6th 1915 for the duration of the war and the following day was sent to the Army B. Reserve which permitted him to return to his home address of 23, Gloucester Street, Newcastle and his employment as a lead refiner for Walkers, Parker & Co. Ltd., Elswick Lead Works, until further notice. He received a further letter dated May 26th 1917 informing him to return to the Colour no later than June 9th 1917.
Andrew re-joined the Colours at Trinity Hall, Newcastle, June 9th 1917 and posted to Army A. Reserve, 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment for men who had completed their service in the regular Army and having undertaken to re-join did not require general mobilisation. He departed for the front the following day arriving at the 37th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, August 28th 1917 and posted to the 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Whilst at the depot he transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment with a change of number to Private 29172, September 1st 1917 and posted to the 8th Battalion, joining his regiment in the field attached to the 8th Brigade, 3rd Division, on the Ypres salient in Belgium.
Private 29172 Andrew Simpson East Yorkshire Regiment was reported as missing, September 26th 1917, at the conclusion of the Battle of Menin Road, a phase of the 3rd Battle of Ypres, his wife was informed of the news at their home address of Gloucester Street.
At the time of his departure his wife Marjorie had been pregnant with their second child who was born September 14th 1917 only a week before this devastating event and 5 weeks after the death of Andrew’s brother Private John Robson, August 22nd 1917, in Belgium. After extensive investigations as to his whereabouts Private Andrew Robson was struck off and is presumed to have died September 26th 1917.
His sacrifice is recorded as one of more than 35,000 names inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing which forms the backdrop to Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, near Ypres, Belgium, commemorating servicemen from Britain and New Zealand who died on the Ypres salient as of August 1917 until the Armistice, who have no known grave. He was 26 years of age.
His widow Marjorie received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their 2 children, Francis George Quinn Robson and Marjorie Robson, of 25 shillings 6 pence a week and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 23, Gloucester Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.
Francis George Quinn Robson was married at Newcastle in 1938 to Margaret Patterson born 1913. in 1939 he was employed as a milling machine operator and they were living at 23, Matfin Street, Newcastle. As WW2 began the following year any children were born much later. There is a possible daughter at Newcastle, Dawn Robson in 1947.
Details as regards daughter Marjorie and Marjorie Ann Robson nee Quinn, unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Andrew Simpson Robson is possibly remembered at Elswick on E35.10
