Robert Snowdon
Illustrated Chronicle
Medal Card
Northumberland Fusiliers Badge
Derek Johnstone has provided the following:
Robert Snowdon was born at Cleadon, County Durham in 1880 to parents William Snowdon from County Durham and Mary Hannah Snowdon from Haydon Bridge, Northumberland.
In 1881 Robert was living at Red House Cottage, North Hylton, Sunderland, where his father was an agricultural labourer.
The 1891 Census records Robert as being 12 years old and a scholar living with his parents at Blue Fame (sic), Chester-le-Street, County Durham. Siblings in the house at this time included Mary Hannah, Lucy Jane and Dorothy.
No information in 1901 is available for Robert for some reason. However, a marriage is recorded between Lillian Huntington Dawson and Robert Snowdon in 1908 which was registered at Tynemouth, Northumberland.
By 1911 Robert and his family, which included Lillian and daughter Esther, were living at North Shields in Northumberland. The census at this time confirms they had been married 3 years and their daughter was aged 2. Robert, now 31, was working as a hewer in the coal mines. Note this census shows incorrect places of birth for Robert and his wife.
Military records show that Robert enlisted at North Shields and was also in the 2nd Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. Robert was awarded a Military Medal. On his death his effects went to his widow Lillian. Robert's Pension Index Card only shows one name - that of his widow Lillian Huntingdon Snowdon. CWGC documents show he was the son of William and Mary of Whitley Road, Whitley Bay and husband of Lillian Huntington Snowdon of 83, Jesmond Terrace, Whitley Bay Northumberland.
He was the Great Uncle of Pauline Armstrong who kindly provided this photo.
The photo in the Illustrated Chronicle has him as a Lance Sgt from Bedlington.
Robert Snowdon is remembered in Whitley Bay on W84.01, W84.02 and W84.30 page 22 which gives his address as Railway Inn, Hill Heads.
