Photo: Geordie at War Project

Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:

George was the son of George William and Sarah Jane Clewes. He was born on 16 December 1891 at Felling.

The 1911 census shows Robert working as a coal miner putter alongside his father, George, a hewer, his older brother John George , also a putter and younger brother Richard Hedley, a driver in the mine.

Also living in the family home at 16 Eighton Terrace Springwell was the family’s adopted granddaughter, Lily Turton and their niece, Margaret Ann Porter.

Robert married Jane Elizabeth Thompson at St Bedes Church on 24 June 1914. The couple lived at 2 Argyle Street Gateshead. On the 3 September 1914 Robert enlisted into the army. He appears to have joined Durham Light Infantry, service number 15986.

His attestation papers show him as being of ‘good character’ whilst his physical appearance is reported as him being 5’ 7” tall, 9 st. weight, of sallow complexion, hazel eyes, brown hair and belonging to Church of England. He was therefore considered ‘fit for service’. However, his army career only lasted 40 days as by 13 October he was discharged as ‘not being likely to become an efficient soldier’.

It appears he was at some point accepted into army service as he is later shown as Pte. R.W. Clewes (No 24856) serving with 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Depot.

Robert died of wounds at Northampton on 21st August 1916. He was aged 24 years. He was buried in Gateshead East Cemetery, his wife adding the following words to his headstone :- Gone but not forgotten.

Robert Clewes (Clews) is remembered at Gateshead on G39.004

The CWGC entry for Private Clewes