Robert Tinniswood Handley (1888 - 1958)
Served with the Friend's Ambulance Unit
Robert Tinniswood Handley was born on 30/11/1888.
He joined the Friends Ambulance Unit on 9/1/15 and completed his training at the Quaker training camp at Jordans, Buckinghamshire. On his personnel record card, he listed his qualifications as secretarial work, and a little knowledge of French. He listed his occupation as valuer, auctioneer and estate agent. In the Kelly’s Trade Directory for 1914, Robert Tinniswood Handley is listed as an auctioneer working from the Post Office Chambers, Northgate, Darlington.
He arrived in Dunkirk on 28/2/1915 and started as a Chief Orderly at the Alexandra Hospital, Malo-les-Bains, Dunkirk on 1/3/15.
During his time in France, he also worked as Chief Orderly at the Kunsaal Hospital and at a clearing station.
On 19/5/1915 he became a secretary at the Elisabeth Hospital at Poperinghe, continuing that role at Kunsaal and also Abbeville.
On 31/10/1915 he is shown as having left France for Jordans, Buckinghamshire.
His Friends Ambulance Unit personnel record card shows him being demobilized on 28/2/1919.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal under his membership of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St John of Jerusalem. He was also awarded the 1914-1915 Star medal.
According to the List of Burials for the Friends (Quaker) Burial Ground in Darlington, he died in 1956. The reference given for his burial site is 657A.
References:
– Friends Ambulance Unit personnel record cards http://fau.quaker.org.uk/
– The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; WWI Service Medal and Award Rolls; Class: WO 329; Piece Number: 2314
– The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; WWI Service Medal and Award Rolls; Class: WO 329; Piece Number: 2931
Birth date: 1888
Death date: 1958
Armed force/civilian: Civilian
Gender: Male
Contributed by Jane Wilson
