Thomas Robinson (1895-1917)
Windy Nook coal miner served as an able seaman in the Royal Naval Division
Thomas Robinson was born in 1895 in Windy Nook. His father was Washington-born coal miner William Robinson (b 1869). His mother was Margaret Eleanor Robinson nee Graham (b 1874), from Heworth. His parents married around 1894 and had seven children, made up of five boys and two girls. Thomas lived all of his life at 3 Clayton Terrace, Windy Nook. He was recorded working as a coal miner at the time of the 1911 census.
Thomas enlisted as a private in the Northumberland Fusiliers on 2 September 1914 but transferred to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) on 9 September 1914. He joined Howe Battalion of the Royal Naval Division (RND). He suffered a shrapnel wound to his knee on 6 May 1915 and was out of action for almost two months before returning to his battalion.
Thomas was killed in action on 30 December 1917 during the action of Welsh Ridge. He is buried in Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, Nord, France. He is remembered in his home town on the Plaque 1914-18, St Alban’s Church, Windy Nook and Organ and Roll of Honour 1914-18, St Alban’s Church, Windy Nook.
Thomas Robinson was awarded the 1914 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service during the First World War.
Civil Parish: Heworth
Birth date: 1895
Death date: 30-Dec-1917
Armed force/civilian: Navy
Residence: 3 Clayton Terrace, Windy Nook (1901 and 1911 census)
Employment: Coal miner (1911 census)
Family: Parents: William Robinson (b 1869), Margaret Eleanor Robinson nee Graham (b 1874)
Siblings: Eleanor Jane Robinson (1894), John Graham Robinson (1899), Lily Robinson (1901), William Robinson (1904), Edwin Jones Robinson (1906), Matthew Rutter Robinson (1909)
Military service:
12023
Private
Northumberland Fusiliers, 2 September 1914
Transferred to Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR), 9 September 1914
KX/155
Ordinary seaman, able seaman
Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division
Medal(s): 1914 Star
Victory Medal
British War Medal
Memorial(s): Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, Nord, France
Plaque 1914-18, St Alban’s Church, Windy Nook
Organ and Roll of Honour 1914-18, St Alban’s Church, Windy Nook
Gender: Male
Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham