Menin Gate
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 22/04/1916
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Nathaniel Robertson was born at Byker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1888, one of 12 children he was the 2nd born of 6 sons and 6 daughters, of whom only 8 survived. His father John was born at Netherton, Northumberland and married in 1881 to Elizabeth Richardson in her native city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, both were born in 1859. Newly married they settled in Newcastle where their eldest daughter Elizabeth was born in 1883 but had moved to Burnhope Colliery by 1885 where they remained for two years before returning to Byker, Newcastle. His father in 1891 was employed as a plate layer for the railways, the family had by now moved to 31, North Tyne Street, Gateshead in County Durham. John George Snr was assisted in supporting his family in 1901 by his eldest son John George Jnr all be it only as an errand boy for a newsagent. They moved between 1901 and 1911 from Monk Street to 5 rooms at 20, Union Street, Windy Nook. John George was still employed by the railways, William (23) was an unemployed cart-man, Albert (20) a clerk, Stanley (17) a grindstone finisher, Henry (15) a screener at the colliery, youngest daughters Hannah (11) and Violet May (6) were scholars, Jane (26) assisted her mother with domestic chores at home.
William enlisted on the outbreak of war at Newcastle-upon-Tyne assigned as Private 4061 Northumberland Fusiliers, joining the Regiment at their barracks he was transferred to the 6th Battalion a unit of the Territorial Force.
Training completed the Regiment left for France during April 1915 before being moved to the Ypres salient, attached to the 149th Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division, however, Private Robertson did not join them until November 10th 1915.
Private 6/4061 William Nathaniel Robertson Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action on the salient March 2nd 1916. Due to the conditions of the battlefield his body was never recovered. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 54,395 names inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, Ypres Belgium, commemorating servicemen from Britain and the Commonwealth who died on the Ypres salient up to August 15th 1917 and who have no known grave.
His parents living at 10, Coldwell Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The CWGC have recorded his father's name as John, transcribed form the original documents returned to them as regards the deceased family, the newspaper article may in error have named him as George or perhaps he was known as John George which is the name he gave to his first born son.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 22/04/1916 carries a notice which reads:
“Private William Robertson, killed in action in France on March 2nd, aged 28 years. Son of George and Elizabeth Robertson, 10 Coldwell Street, Felling.”
