RootsChat.Com
General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: K8T on Sunday 12 July 15 22:14 BST (UK)
-
I am researching this 2nd Lieutenant who was born in Newcastle in around 1880. He uses any combination of his names, but I cannot find his birth with any certainty, He is on the CWGC as Charles Alexander Burleigh Robson but is also on other sites as just Alexander Robson. He marries as Charles Alexander Robson to an Alice Helena (Eleanor) Heaver in 1906 and I've found him on the 1911 Census in Headley, Hampshire in the military camp there with his wife and two daughters; he is back to Alexander now. Can anyone find him on any other census? Also, any other information on his service and how he got his DCM would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
K8T
-
Hi K8T
Can't help with the birth but did find this, which gives details of his service and DCM
Awarded D.C.M. For Conspicuous Gallantry at St Eloi, France, on the 14th March 1915.This was published in the London Gazette, Supplement,
''When almost encircled by the enemy, he held the trench against superior numbers with marked ability and by his determination and example greatly contributed to the complete success which was eventually attained''.
https://sites.google.com/site/frimleyandcamberley/
claire
-
The DCM was for 'Other Ranks' so he was commissioned after receiving the DCM. You should look for his commission in the London/Edinburgh/Dublin Gazette, which is online.
The advantage of being an officer is that his death will almost certainly be mentioned in the battalion war diary, most of which are online - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/british-army-war-diaries-1914-1922/
It looks as if he was a pre-war regular. If you go back to the 1911 census and press PREVIOUS you should find his pre-war regiment. It may be the same as at they start of WW1, in which case it will be on his medal card. If you post his regimental number we should be able to tell you when he enlisted.
Researching his local newspapers at the time of his DCM, commission and death would also be useful. You may even get a photograph provided by his family.
Ken
-
Medal Roll Card A Robson regiment number 9776 Princess Victoria Royal Irish Fusiliers
Wife Mrs A Robson ( widow )
Rose Villa ,College Town ,Camberley Surry ..
Can't see any records for enlistment or pension records
Father Charles Burleigh Robson
-
9776 in the Royal Irish Fusiliers would have been issued about early 1908. The 1911 census confirms he was serving in the 1st Battalion RIFus.
There are two records for 2nd Lt A Robson in the National Archives:
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C728751
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C728752
They are not online. Also they started to cull these records in the 1930s so neither may be him. If his record does survive it should (based on by GFs record) give you a copy of his record as an OR.
I am a bit surprised he accepted a commission, especially as a 2/Lt. As such he would have earned about the same as a Sergt Major, but have to provide his own uniform etc. My GF was commissioned 2nd Lt but on the same day he was promoted to Captain and received an allowance for being an Adjutant. When his battalion was disbanded a year later, and he went back to substantive 2nd Lt he threatened to resign as he could not support his wife and six children on a 2nd Lt pay. Even though he was also receiving 3s 6d a day pension after 25 years as an OR. In the end Lord Derby found him a Capt/Adjutant job with the Cheshires.
Ken
-
Hi K8T. I am also like you researching Alexander Robson and his son Charles Robson. Like you, I am stuck on his date of birth but I can give you details of his military service before joining the Ryl. Irish Fuslrs. He served in the Boer War as 5463 Pte A Robson. 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He qualified for the Queens South Africa medal with clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, and Transvaal. In his first major engagement, at the disasterous Battle of Stormberg, he was taken prisoner. As with most of British the POWs, he was released some days later as the Boers had no facilities to house prisoners. In early 1900 he was invalided back to England after contracting fever.
I know this info is correct as I own his and his sons medal groups, hence my interest in both soldiers. If you have any info that would be of interest to me then please let me know. Regards Phil
-
Hi. I have found some more info on Alexander Robson. Are you still interested
-
Many thanks to Claire.t, km1971, rosie17 and Phil for all the information, it is really interesting and much appreciated.
Many apologies for the late response.
K8T
-
I now have a copy of the marriage certificate dated 1906 and he has stated that his father is called Charles Alexander Burleigh Robson, deceased - a fitter. I cannot find any mention of a death in this name. No Alexander Robson born in Newcastle around 1880 has a father who is a fitter and no Alexander who has a father called Charles. I am at a loss on where to go next.
-
Not a military question so I think you should put this on the beginners board.
It may be he made up the name. It often happened.
-
Thanks Jim, you may be right, I just added it as an extension to my query as his military background is still in question. I'll add a query to the appropriate section.
-
There are a few threads about this chap on the Great War Forum - which confirm that his record is held at Kew.
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=79048
-
Many thanks newburychap, I have seen the Great War Forum entry. I am hoping to get hold of a copy of his service record, I just don't think it's going to answer questions over his roots as such. I have a funny feeling he wasn't born with this name. An interesting one for sure.
K8T
-
Hi all,
New to this site, just restarted retrying to trace my family tree after a 10 year break, seems to be much more information available now.
Charles Alexander Burleigh Robson was my great grandfather.
I Have been reading all the info you put on here, it is very fascinating and a pleasure to read, trying to put all the pieces together.
You all know more than I do. I only know that after his death, his wife became a recluse and went to live in finchampstead. My mother and her mother were living in Ruislip at the start of the 2nd WW and went to live with her, instead of my mother being evacuated. Alice then doted on her son Charles as he was the “man of the house” as my mother said. When he went off to fight in the war, she was distraught almost knowing that he would never return...
I do have a picture of each of them if anybody would like a copy.
Thank you
-
Hi Ellabertie,
it's great that I've finally tracked down a descendant. I would love any photos you have and I've sent you a PM with contact details.
Many thanks
K8T