Photo : Bacon and Co

Medal Card

Army Personal Effects

Newcastle Journal Wednesday 14th October 1914

Newcastle Journal Thursday 10th June 1915

Robert Kingsley Steel was born on the 24th April 1888, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the eldest son of John Tinline Steel, [born 1863, Ovingham, Northumberland], of Cranford, Stocksfield-on-Tyne, [Coal Exporter and Merchant shipping clerk], and his wife Alice Maria, [born 1864], daughter of Adam Bates. Also brother to 2nd Lieutenant John Gordon Steel. In 1891 the family were residing at Elswick, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, at 76 Brighton Grove, Newcastle-upon-Tyne with a domestic servant called Annie M. Reay, age 20.

By 1901, Robert was residing, with his mother, at 24 Beverley Terrace, Cullercoats, Northumberland, with his younger brother John Gordon Steel and two sisters Lillian [born 1891], and Nora [born, Newcastle July 1893], with 2 servants.

By 1911, Robert was no longer residing at Cullercoats. His sister at this time, Nora was a Music student, younger brother John was at school. Also there was a servant called Dorothy Jackson employed as a House maid, age 20.

Robert was educated at Mill Hill School, and was employed as a Coal Exporter and Ship broker.

He volunteered for service on the outbreak of War, and obtained a commission as a temporary 2nd Lieutenant in the Northumberland Fusiliers on the 15th September 1914. Further promotion to Lieutenant followed on the 5th May May 1915. He served with the British Expeditionary Force from the 22nd April 1915.

His regiment was part of the 50th Division, which although only just arrived in France on the 22nd April, was sent straight into the fighting line on the 24th April to support the Canadians who saved the situation during the Second Battle of Ypres. Where the Germans use gas for the first time.

Robert was killed in action on the 24th April, while trying to rescue one of his own men who had been gassed and wounded.

The 1/5th Battalion were attached to the 4th Division, along with the 4th, 6th and 7th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers, from the 19th May. The companies of the Battalion were attached to other units, 'A' Company and the Headquarters were attached to the 2nd Battalion "Monmouths", 'B' Company were attached to the 1st Battalion King's Own (Loyal North) Lancaster Regiment, 'C' Company were attached to the 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment, and 'D' Company [Roberts] plus machine gun to the 2nd Battalion (18th) Royal Irish Regiment. The companies were paraded, except 'A' Company at 9.00am on the 20th May. On the 23rd May the Royal Irish Regiment were subjected to a heavy bombardment, portions of the parapet being blown in. During the forenoon the Essex trenches were again shelled with Shrapnel and high explosive shells, but little damage was done. The canal bank was also shelled and several men of the South Lancs were wounded and 1 man killed. The remainder of the day was fairly quiet. No casualties were reported in the Battalion.

Extract from the 1/5th Battalion War diary for the 24th May reads as follows:- On the 24th May at 2.30am the Germans commenced an attack with asphyxiating gas, the wind being favourable for its use against our trenches. This gas was accompanied by heavy shrapnel and high explosive shell fire, with the result that portions of the trenches were practically demolished. The 'Essex' who were on the left of the line held by the 12th Brigade endeavoured to disperse the gas by rapid fire, but with little effect, although no doubt it saved may men from becoming asphyxiated, had they lain low in the trenches. Directly the bombardment started, the company of the Essex who had lain in support, advanced to the front line, losing several men during this advance, and two companies of the S. Lancs, who had been held in reserve on the Canal Bank, were ordered to move up into the 2nd Line. The King's Own who succeeded in holding their line, although suffering heavily from the gas and accompanying shell fire. Unfortunately however, suffered severely from the gas fumes, large numbers of men being overcome before they could take steps to combat them. Under cover of the gas, the Germans delivered an infantry attack against the Dublin Fusiliers and Royal Irish on the right of the King's Own. The Dublin's were forced to retire, with the result that the trenches occupied by the Royal Irish were enfiladed, large numbers of men being killed and wounded. The Irish were now compelled to evacuate their trenches, leaving many men behind suffering from gas poisoning, these men being either killed or taken prisoner, by the enemy who swarmed into the trenches.

The 1/5th Battalion War diary mentions the Casualties 'D' Company attached to the Royal Irish. 2/Lieut Steel Killed in action.

Buried at Irish Farm, near Ypres. He earned the praise of a Colonel of the Irish Fusiliers for the cool manner in which he led the attack on St. Julien. His Sergt. wrote: He had not a white feather in his wing, and could laugh and joke in the face of death. He was unmarried.

A fellow soldier wrote to Robert's parents after his death and said:- How their son had marched through Ypres while it was being shelled and had raised morale by encouraging the singing of 'Tipperary'. Later that evening he gave his own blanket to three of his men who were without, and himself rested uncovered on the wet ground. He died trying to save wounded man.

Source: unattributed War Memorials Trust

Robert's Will dated the 15th May, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, left effects of £2301 16s 3d to his father John Tinline Steel shipbroker.

De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

Acknowledgment: Tony Harding

The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum at Alnwick Castle has a booklet : 'In memoriam. Robert Kingsley Steel. Lieut. 5th Batt. N.F. Killed, whilst trying to rescue one of his men, who was gassed - wounded near Ypres 24th May 1915'. (Newcastle, T.M. Grierson, Printer, Ellison Place).

Robert Kingsley Steel is remembered at Stocksfield on S56.02 and S56.03 and also at Walker on W2.07