Roberts, Robert

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Robert Roberts

45017, Private, 1/5th Northumberland Fusiliers (Territorial Force)
Killed in action, 26 October 1917, aged 32
Buried at Poelcapelle British Cemetery, Belgium

CWGC registered (no family details)

THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT

Robert Roberts, the son of David and Hannah Roberts, was born in Llangwstenin on 12 April 1885. The Census of Wales of 1891 records the family living at Greenfield Cottage, Llanrhos; David Roberts being described as a stonemason and Robert (6) as a scholar. In March 1893, the register of Lloyd Street School records Robert’s address as Bodarfon Row, Llandudno. Robert left school in February 1898. In 1901, the family including three girls and three boys lived at “Dalefield”, Oxford Road, Llandudno; Robert Roberts was described as a printer. In the Census for 1911, Hannah Roberts was now a widow and described as a lodging house keeper, Robert (25) as a printer (compositor).

Robert Roberts’ enlisted at Stockport; unfortunately, his army record no longer exists. It appears highly likely that he joined the 3/1st (Welsh) Divisional Cyclist Company around November 1915 as did Donald Goulding Evans (qv) and David Hobson (qv). Evidence indicates that Robert Roberts married Eliza J Jones in early 1916. On 11 December 1916, many men of the 3/1st (Welsh) Cyclists were compulsorily transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers including Robert Roberts, Donald Evans and David Hobson. Robert Roberts’ new regimental number was 45017. Judging from the records of other soldiers, he served initially with the Reserve Battalion at Catterick before being sent to France and the Infantry Base Depot at Étaples before being posted to the 19th (Service) Battalion in mid-1917. At a time unknown he was posted to the 1/5th Battalion, Territorial Force.

Robert Roberts was killed on 26 October 1917 aged 32 when the 1/5th NF participated in a disastrous diversionary attack during the Second Battle of Passchendaele. Robert was buried near where he fell and that area became the Poelcapelle British Cemetery after the Armistice with exhumations being brought in from surrounding battlefields and smaller cemeteries. Though Robert Roberts has a headstone, the precise location of his grave is not marked.

After the war, Robert Roberts’ effects were received by his widow, Eliza. With Roberts and Jones being such common surnames, it has not been able to determine with any certainty if there were any children of the marriage.

Known memorials:

  • Llandudno Roll of Honour
  • Llandudno War Memorial
  • Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
  • Llanrhos Parish War Memorial, All Saints’ Church, Deganwy

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