Robert, sister Jane and mother
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery: P. Priano
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery: P Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert Riddle Robson, one of 11 children of whom only 5 survived, was the 2nd eldest of 4 sons and had an elder sister. His father William Robson of Belay and mother Jane Wainwright of Barrington, both in Northumberland were born in 1860 and 1861 respectively and married in 1880 in the district of Morpeth, Northumberland. Three of their children were born at Bedlington, John, February 24th 1881, Mary 1887 and Robert Riddle Robson 1889, William supported his family employed as a coal miner. In 1891 they were living at Sunnyside, Choppington Station, district of Bedlington and were still living there when William was born in 1897, however, 2 years later Joseph was born at Hirst. By 1901 they lived at 32, Milburn Terrace, Hirst, John (20) had joined his father at the coal mine. John Robson was married at Morpeth, August 6th 1903 to 18-year-old Elizabeth Patterson of 1, Phoenix Yard, Morpeth, later that year they emigrated to America. In 1910 Jane Robson nee Wainwright died aged 48 years, widower William in 1911 was living in 4 rooms at 69, Maple Street, Hirst, he and his son Robert (21) were employed as hewers, William Jnr (14) as a pony driver, Joseph (12) and Mary (24) remained at home.
Robert Riddle Robson married in 1911 to Euphemia (Fannie) Cook of Morpeth born 1889 and with whom he had 3 children, Jane born October 13th 1911, Robert Riddle Jnr, February 17th 1912 and at the time of his enlistment his wife was pregnant with their 3rd child born during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1915 who also died in 1915 only a few months old, preceded by the death of his father William Robson in 1914.
As one of the first to enlist at Alnwick after the declaration of war, August 4th 1914, Robert was assigned as Private 2791 Northumberland Fusiliers joining his regiment at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and posted to the 1/7th Battalion of the Territorial Force. The battalion was split into 7 Companies and trained throughout Alnwick and the surrounding area at Morpeth, Washington, Belford, Amble and Ravensdowne, Berwick-upon-Tweed. The main body of the battalion arrived in France during April 1915 to join the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, Private Robson joined them on the Ypres salient in Belgium, November 1st 1915, where they remained until moving south to the Somme, the 50th (Northumbrian) Division participated during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette September 15th-22nd, Battle of Morval September 25th-28th. By 1916 Robert had been assigned the new service number 290801 and risen to the ranks of Corporal. At the conclusion of the actions on the Somme the battalion moved to the Arras sector where they saw action during the Battle of Arras April 9th-May 16th 1917 before returning to Belgium participating during the 3rd Battle of Ypres July 31st-November 10th 1917.
Corporal 290801 Robert Riddle Robson was killed in action, October 26th 1917, his body buried on the battlefield by his comrades, his grave marked with a cross bearing his military details. Post war during the clearing of the battlefields isolated graves and small concentrations, at the request of the French and Belgian Governments, were brought into larger cemeteries for reburial. Remains found at map reference U. 6. b. 70. 75 without a cross, destroyed during subsequent actions, were identified as that of Corporal Robson by means of nominal roll, cap badge, chevrons and clothing and brought into Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium for reburial with all honour and reverence by an Army chaplain, June 4th 1921. He is at rest grave IX. F. 28, at the time of his demise in 1917 he was 28 years of age.
His widow Fannie received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their 2 children, the nominal roll found on his remains also his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. She remarried in 1922 at Morpeth to Joseph Givens of Tritlington, Northumberland, they do not appear to have had any children. Euphemia Givens-Robson nee Cook died aged 48 years in 1937 registered in the district of Northumberland Central.
Robert and Fannie’s daughter Jane Robson married at Morpeth in 1934 to George Edwin Richardson with whom she had 1 known child, George Edwin Jnr (1940-2007). Jane Richardson nee Robson died aged 91 years in 2002.
Robert Riddle Robson married in 1937 at Morpeth to Eleanor Jane Clark with whom he had 2 known children, Noreen born in 1937 and Robert Riddle Robson Jnr in 1938. During WW1 Robert Riddle Snr served as Corporal 941867 Royal Air Force, 84th Squadron. The 84th Squadron moved to Egypt in September 1940, operating in Greece, Iraq and the Western Desert before moving to the Far East. Corporal Robson was reported as missing and it was over a year before his wife, who at the time was living at 3, Wellwood Gardens, received news via the International Red Cross that he was a prisoner of war in Japanese hands. She later received news from Robert that he was, “safe and well,” at a camp in Java where he remained until the Japanese surrender was signed, September 2nd 1945. Robert Riddle Robson Snr died in 1997 aged 84 years.
Although all the Robson brothers were eligible for service during WW1 no records have been found. John Robson was married twice and had 5 children, he died February 8th 1949 at Amsterdam, Carroll County Ohio, U.S.A. aged 68 years and buried at Harlem Springs, Carroll County. William Robson died May 16th 1925 (28), Joseph Robson in 1959 (60), details of Robert’s sister Mary Robson unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest in Peace.
Robert Riddle Robson is in Ashington on A17.43 and in the Battalion History
