Carole Fife has provided the following:
Robert was born in Hensingham, in Cumberland, in 1880 to Thomas and Mary Kane. Robert and his brothers became miners like their father, and between 1901 and 1907 the family moved to Northumberland. Robert, married Isabella Pollett, a widow with four children, in 1907 while living in Radcliffe. Soon after they moved to Blyth and in 1911 were living in William Street. Robert and Isabella had two children, Thomas and Esther.
Thomas enlisted in Bedlington on the 1st September 1914, aged 34, as Private, 10452, 'B' Company, 9th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, when living at Ravensworth Terrace, Bedlington Station.
He was discharged medically in March 1915 at Canford, as 'not likely to become an efficient soldier', but was conscripted later and joined the Tyneside Scottish.
At Canford some of the soldiers were found not to be fit enough for service abroad.
Morpeth Herald 06/10/1916 carries a brief obituary:
Corporal R. Jas. Kane, Sleekburn, killed.
He is remembered in Bedlington Station on B163.04 and in the 9th Battalion Embarkation Roll, Military History page 134
