On the Arras Memorial, France is the name of 36844 (TR5/1340) Private Robert William Renton, serving with the 1st Battalion (5th Foot) Northumberland Fusiliers, who died 20/11/1917.
Robert William Renton was born on the 3rd September 1887 at Luddick, the son of Isaac Renton, of Tosson Tower, Rothbury, Northumberland, [born 1857], a Farmer, and his wife Jane, born 1858, daughter of the late John Renton, Higham Dykes. They had 2 other children, Jane born 1883, and John born 1886. Robert was the youngest.
He was educated at Whorlton and Capheaton near Ponteland, Northumberland.
Robert was employed as a shepherd’s hand on his father’s farm.
In 1901 he was residing at Frolic Farm, by 1911, residing at Tossen Tower Farm, Rothbury.
Robert William Renton enlisted on the 23rd January 1917, and served with the British Expeditionary Force from the 29th May 1917 in France and Flanders in the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.
[The 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers were in Portsmouth at the outbreak of war in August 1914. They proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 14th of August 1914. Serving with the 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, BEF. They remained on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action in most of the major battles. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force].
Robert William Renton was killed in action at Bullecourt on the 20th November 1917.
His Sergeant-Major wrote:- He was so well liked by the platoon. A comrade Of all the men I have met in the Rugeley camp. I had a deeper regard for your son than any other.
He was unmarried.
Source: De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
Robert William Renton is remembered at Alnwick in A11.43 page 68, and in A11.56 page 63, at Alwinton in A12.02, at Great Bavington on G11.01, at Rothbury on R24.01, R24.02, in R24.04 page 8, R24.12, R24.16 and at Thropton on T16.01 and T16.03.
