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William Robson (1887-1918)


Kyo mason served in 13th DLI


William Robson was born in Kyo in 1887. His father was Thomas Robson who was born in Stoneycroft, Northumberland in 1867. Thomas was working as a coal miner in 1891 but was a school attendance officer in 1901. He died at some time between 1901 and 1906. William’s mother was Mary Jane Robson (1867-1919) from Dipton. William was the eldest of four children, with two brothers and one sister. The Robson family was recorded living in Annfield Plain at both the 1891 and 1901 censuses. William was working as a screener at a coal miner at the age of 13 in 1901.

After the death of her first husband Mary Jane married John Steede (1868-1916) in 1906. He was a coal miner who was born in Ireland. In 1911 Mary and John lived with the three sons from Mary’s first marriage at 50 Clavering Place, Annfield Plain. William was recorded working as a mason in 1911. He was still living in Clavering Place when he attested in the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) on 14 September 1914 in West Stanley. He served as a private with the service number 21624 and was a member of 13th Battalion. During his war service in France he was attached to 181 Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers and 68 Trench Mortar Battery.

William suffered a gunshot wound to his left buttock in France on 12 October 1918. He was medically evacuated to the UK and admitted to Merryflats Military Hospital, Govan, Glasgow, Scotland on 16 October 1918. Although he initially responded to treatment he succumbed to pneumonia and died on 21 October 1918. He was buried in Harelaw Cemetery in grave 12 U 496. He was honoured on the Cenotaph 1914-18 in the Park, Annfield Plain and on the Roll of Honour 1914-18, Durham Light Infantry in Durham Cathedral.

William Robson was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.

Civil Parish: Kyo

Birth date: 1887

Death date: 21-Oct-1918

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: Annfield Plain (1891 & 1901 census)
50 Clavering Place, Annfield Plain (1911 census and 1915 service record)

Employment: Screener (1901 census)
Mason (1911 census)

Family: Parents: Thomas Robson (b 1867), Mary Jane Robson later Steede (1867-1919), Step-father John Steede (1868-1916)
Siblings: Mary Florence Robson (b 1890), Thomas Herbert Robson (b 1894), John Alfred Robson (b 1897)

Military service:

21624
Private
Durham Light Infantry
13 Battalion
Attached 181 Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers
Attached 68 Trench Mortar Battery

Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal

Memorial(s): Harelaw Cemetery, Annfield Plain, Stanley (grave 12 U 496)
Book of Remembrance, Durham Light Infantry, 1914-18, Durham Cathedral
Cenotaph 1914-18, Park, Annfield Plain

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham

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