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John William ROBINSON

Main CPGW Record

Surname: ROBINSON

Forename(s): John William

Place of Birth: Ingleton, Yorkshire

Service No: 2500

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 'C' Coy 1/6th Battalion

Division: 49th (West Riding) Division

Age: ---

Date of Death: 1916-09-03

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 6 A and 6 B.

CWGC Cemetery: ---

CWGC Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: INGLETON, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

John William Robinson was the son of Sarah Ann Robinson, the daughter of John and Margaret Robinson. Sarah and her mother were born at Ingleton, Yorkshire and her father at Brookhouse, Lancashire.

1891 Ingleton, Yorkshire Census: Tancy Green - John W. Robinson, aged 7 months, born Ingleton. [John and his mother Sarah A. Robinson were living with her parents, John and Margaret Robinson.]

Sarah Hannah (Ann) Robinson was married to Charles Waldren in 1898.

1901 Ingleton, Yorkshire Census: Beech Terrace - John Robinson, aged 11 years, born Ingleton, son of Sarah A. and [stepson of] Charles Waldren.

1911 Ingleton, Yorkshire Census: Uppergate - John William Robison [sic], born Ingleton. [John was living with his mother, Sarah A. Waldren and half-sister, Margret A. Waldren.]

The British Army Service Record for John William Robinson exists but may be incomplete.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte John W. Robinson, 6/2500, W. Rid. Rgt. Theatre of War first served in: 1 - France. Date of entry therein: 14.4.15. K. in A. 3.9.16.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte John W. Robinson, 6/2500, 6th W. Rid. R. K. in A. 3.9.16.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte John William Robinson, 2500, 1/6th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 3.9.16. In Action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and sole legatee - Mrs Sarah H. Waldren. £23 11s. 8d.

John was killed in action during the Battles of the Somme, 1916, 1 July-18 November, at the Battle of Pozières, 23 July-3 September.

A short biography of John is included in: ‘The Ingleton War Memorial, 1914-18, 1939-45’ by Andrew Brooks (2005).

See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---

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Private John William ROBINSON

Private John William ROBINSON

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: ROBINSON

Forename(s): John William

Born: Ingleton, Yorks

Residence: Ingleton

Enlisted: Skipton, Yorks

Number: 2500

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion: 1/6th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 03/09/16

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: ROBINSON

Forename(s): John William

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 2500

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Unit: 1st/6th Bn.

Age:

Awards:

Died Date: 03/09/1916

Additional Information:

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War Diary of the 1/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

3 SEPTEMBER 1916

TRENCHES – THIEPVAL WOOD. The assaulting Bns of the 147 Bde (4th and 5th W.R.R.) moved into position in parallels [trenches], ‘A’ Coy having a covering party out in front to cover the movement, which was completed at 4.15 a.m. and ‘A’ Coy withdrew to NORTH BLUFF dug outs.
5 a.m. Relief completed and all ‘A’ Coy back at the BLUFF.
At the Bluff, a good many shells fell all round and one dug out was blown in, 6 men being killed.
Casualties [Deaths only]: 2701, Pte Barnes, F. A. ‘A’ Coy. Killed by shell. 3444, Pte Moorhouse, H. ‘A’ Coy. Killed by shell. Pte 4282, Pte Turnbull, J. ‘A’ Coy. Killed by shell. Pte 4332, Bond, G. ‘A’ Coy. Killed by shell. Pte 2031, Kelly, F. ‘A’ Coy. Killed by shell. Pte 5627, Storey, A. ‘A’ Coy. Killed by shell. Pte 2500, Pte Robinson, J. W. ‘C’ Coy. Killed by shrapnel. L/Sgt 2329, Metcalfe, J. ‘C’ Coy. Died of Wounds. 2 Lieut F. B. Gill. Killed by shell.

BRITISH BATTALIONS ON THE SOMME, by Ray Westlake (Pen & Sword Books Limited 1994)

1/6th Bn. Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

To Forceville (19/8), Léalvillers (20/8), Forceville (27/8), trenches in Thiepval Wood (28/8). In support during attack on Schwaben Redoubt (3/9).

[John William Robinson was killed on the 3rd September 1916.]

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31 December 1915

INGLETON AND THE WAR – The Sixth Fatality

Amongst those who attested at Settle were the following from Ingleton Fells:–

Thomas Faraday, John Faraday, James Parker, John Mason, Robert Lambert, Bryan Chapman, William Middleton, and William Hilton. These names bring the Ingleton Roll of Honour to 231.

Pte. W. Bolton, 6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, was killed by shrapnel some time ago. He is the fifth Ingletonian to lay down his life for his country.

Pte. Stanley Thornber was shot through the chest some weeks ago, the bullet passing above the heart. The bullet has not been extracted, as an operation might prove dangerous.

Pte. Harold Howson, who has been in hospital suffering from trench foot, is at home, and Privates Joe Vickers and J. W. Robinson are at home on furlough from the Front.

News has just been received that Pte Cyril Tomlinson, 21 years of age, has been killed in the trenches by a sniper. He was the eldest son of Pte. Edward Tomlinson, Main Street; and went out to the Front with the 6th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. Immediately on receipt of the sad intelligence, the Union Jack was hoisted half-mast at St. Mary’s Church. He is the sixth Ingletonian to give up his life for his King and country. As well as his father he has two brothers and several relatives serving with the forces. His brother-in-law, Pte. H. Routledge, has been gassed and is now in hospital at Lincoln.

Dr. Mackenzie has received a telegram from the War Office intimating that his son, Capt. Gordon Mackenzie, has been wounded in action, but the extent of his injuries is not yet known.

It is also reported that Pte. J. Nash and Pte. J. Waring have been wounded, and Pte. J. Clapham gassed, so that it would appear that the Ingletonians have been in the thick of it recently.

15 September 1916

ROBINSON – September 3rd, killed in action in France, Pte. J. W. Robinson, West Riding Regiment, son of Mrs Robinson, Back Gate, Ingleton.

15 September 1916

INGLETON – INGLETONIANS KILLED AND WOUNDED

Private J. W. Robinson, whose mother resides in Back Gate, Ingleton, was also killed by the same shell. The following letters give particulars:–

September 4th 1916

“Dear Mrs. Robinson, – I regret exceedingly to have the painful duty of writing to inform you that your son, Pte. J. W. Robinson, was killed in action yesterday, September 3rd, as a result of a shell which came into the trench. After the explosion I, with one of his comrades, started to carry him to the dressing station, but he died a few minutes before he reached the doctor. He did not suffer much pain. I, on behalf of his comrades and myself, offer you the sincerest of sympathy in your bereavement. Of his qualities as a soldier and his devotion to duty I can only speak in the highest terms, as he was always ready for any duty. He was of a bright cheery disposition and he will be greatly missed in the platoon to which he belonged. Believe me, yours in sympathy.

“ARCHIBALD McCOLL, 2nd Lieutenant, West Riding Regiment”

September 4th 1916

“Dear Friends, – I am writing to you and I don’t know how to tell you. You don’t know how I feel, but it has to be done. I am sorry to have to tell you poor Jack, your nephew, got killed yesterday, and all the boys are very sorry. He got hit with a piece of shell and died in a minute or two. He did not suffer much at all. It was only about ten yards from him when it was done, and there was a lot more knocked out with the same shell. I am very sorry for his poor mother, and I am sure it will be a shock for you all. He was one of the very best of lads in our Battalion, and everybody liked him, and he has gone down for a good cause, same as many thousands more. We went up to the trenches together, and we were quite lively, but you know this is an awful game. Just now where we are it is a worse quarter than where we were last year at this time. It is simply ‘hell’ and nothing else, and he is a lucky man that gets through it. It is hard lines when we lose a pal like Jack; he was one that was always in for a bit of fun and we shall always miss him very much. We slept together the weeks before we went, and I shall miss him more than a lot of them because I have known him all his life. They buried him last night with lots more of our poor fellows. Jim Metcalfe got wounded with the same shell and Billy Preston, and those two have gone down the line somewhere, and I think they will pull through in time. You must tell his poor mother how sorry I am to write this letter. From your friend.

“C. R. SEARS”

05 January 1917

INGLETON – WAR ITEMS

After being four months in hospital, Corporal W. Preston, eldest son of Mr. John Preston, fruiter and fishmonger, is now home on 10 days’ leave. He was wounded in the face with shrapnel, a part of which has not been extracted. He was able to walk to a dressing station in the trenches, and was in the act of climbing over when a machine gun bullet passed through one leg and lodged in the knee of the other. He was between Sergeant J. Metcalfe and Pte. J.W. Robinson when they had the misfortune to be killed.

Other who have been home are: Sergeant W. Routledge (direct from the trenches), Corporal J.W. Routledge (his father), Corporal T. Heaps (Military Medallist) and Private Sherwin.

07 September 1917

ROBINSON – In loving memory of Private J.W. Robinson, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who was killed in action in France on September 3rd 1914.

Sleep on, dear son, in a soldier’s grave,
Your life for your country you nobly gave;
No one stood near to bid you good-bye,
But safe in God’s keeping you now lie.

From Mother and Sister, Ingleton.

22 February 1918

INGLETON – IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN

A memorial service for Ingleton men who have fallen in the war was held in St. Mary’s Church on Sunday evening. There was a large congregation, and the service was of an impressive character. The Union Jack was hoisted half-mast on the tower during the day. At the commencement of the service the organist, Mr. C. Bentham, played ‘O rest in the Lord’, and at the conclusion the Dead March in ‘Saul’, 'How bright these glorious spirits shine’, and other hymns appropriate to the occasion were sung, as was also the National Anthem. Standing on the Chancel steps, Bugler J. Robinson sounded the ‘Last Post’, and its solemn and eerie notes reverberated along the aisles.

Before commencing his address, the vicar, the Rev. D. T. Davies, read out the list of those who had fallen, as follows:–

Killed in action: Second-Lieutenant G. Kirk, Sergeant J. Metcalfe, Privates A. Noble, G. Scholey, C. Tomlinson, J. Smith, W. A. Hodgson, J. W. Wadeson, J. W. Robinson, J. Clapham, W. Smith, J. Schofield, J. Kettlewell, W. Marklew, E. Askew, P. Fletcher, G. Metcalfe, A. M. Booth, J. Woodhouse, W. Bolton, and J. [W.H.W.] Wilson.

Died in hospital: Privates W. H. Wignall and C. Newsholme.

Torpedoed: C. Grant.

Missing; Sergeant R. E. Walker, Privates A. Sherwin, W. Northey, E. Robinson, J. Saul, and W. [J.C.] Bradford.

The Vicar, speaking from the words, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’, said that the occasion brought them face in face with a question that was momentous to everyone, and the list which he had just read made them pause and ask the question, “Is the cause for which we are fighting of such a nature that these sacrifices are necessary?” They must remind themselves of the causes which led to the war. Our honour was pledged to protect a small country from an oppressing wrong, and we were compelled to stand by them. They were standing to protect a weak country from a fearful wrong committed by one of the strongest nations in the world – from a military point of view the strongest – a nation that was steadily prospering year after year and which had been training its manhood to satisfy its mad ambition for power. It was becoming clear, especially during the last few weeks, that the dominant note running through their proposals had been their determination that might should conquer over right, and that they would rule as masters over the whole world. When they analysed the causes they saw that the principles of justice and righteousness were struggling against oppression and wrong-doing. They had seen an attempt to impose injustice on the whole world, to impose the doctrine that might is right and mercy unknown by the will of one man, and to sweep away religion, man’s guidance, in a moment.

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04 September 1914

INGLETON – THE WAR: NATIONAL RESERVISTS CALLED UP

Whatever other parts of the district have done, it can be truthfully stated that Ingleton has responded loyally to the country’s call to arms. The population of Ingleton, and those of Chapel-le-dale, is under thirteen hundred, and out of that number sixty have joined the service either at the Front or for home defence. At the first call, 45 Territorial and Reserve men went out, and of this number a very large proportion volunteered for Foreign Service. The second class National Reservists who have been called out on two occasions, only to receive backword, have at the third time of asking had to present themselves at headquarters, and on Wednesday morning, the 3rd inst., these second class Reservists, under the age of 45, received a rousing send off when they left by the 8.55 a.m. train for Skipton. The names of those who went were H. Slinger, C. Sears, E. Tomlinson, J. Robinson, T. Fletcher, J. Saul, W. Metcalfe and E. Jones, who were accompanied by V. Slinger and A. Jowett. In addition to those there left on Monday and Tuesday Messrs. J. Tomlinson, A. Saul, J. Brown, and R. Clapham, all of whom were accepted, in fact only one has been refused out of those who have presented themselves. The one who was not accepted being maimed. For the past fortnight, Mr. R.D. Metcalfe, Ingleborough Café, Ingleton, and Captain John Upton, Ingmire Hall, Sedbergh, who were appointed by Government to purchase horses for active service, have secured considerably over 100 horses within the radius of 15 miles of Ingleton. In the early days of their march remounting was their objective, but latterly draught horses were required. Good prices were paid for suitable animals. During last week the employees of the New Ingleton Colliery collected £9 17s. 7d. on behalf of the Prince of Wales’ Relief Fund.

15 September 1916

ROBINSON – In France, Private J. W. Robinson, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, of Ingleton, aged 26.

15 September 1916

INGLETON

Ingleton is having to pay the full price for its loyalty to King and Country. Great regret was felt in the district on Saturday last when it became known that two more Ingleton lads had been killed, and a third had been wounded somewhat severely. This brings the number of Ingletonians who have been killed up to 12, which is rather a large toll for a place of little over 1,000 inhabitants. The two latest to give their lives are Sergeant James Metcalfe, third son of Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Metcalfe, Paradise Row, Ingleton, and Private J.W. Robinson, of Backgate, Ingleton, aged 23 and 26 respectively. Both young men were attached to the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment. The first intimation Mr. and Mrs. Metcalfe received was a letter from Rev. Cecil Patterson, chaplain to the forces, stating that he had died of wounds and had been buried.

The deceased was wounded in the right leg in July 1915, and was sent to Perth. He returned to France in January of this year. Mr. and Mrs. Metcalfe have had four sons serving, three in the army and one in the navy, on H.M.S. Benbow. One of the former was wounded and taken prisoner by the Germans in the early days of the war, he having his right leg amputated, which he believes was owing to lack of attention whilst a prisoner. Sergeant J. Metcalfe joined with the Ingleton Territorials the day after the war broke out.

Private J. W. Robinson resided with his mother in Backgate, Ingleton. He was a very popular young fellow, being a prominent member of the Ingleton Football team, with whom he was a great favourite. His wounds were of such a serious nature that he succumbed before he reached the dressing station. Prior to enlisting he was employed at the Ingleton Colliery. Both young men were single, and much sympathy is felt with their parents. The flag on St. Mary’s Church was hoisted half mast in respect of the fallen lads.

Mr. J. Preston, fishmonger and fruitier, Ingleton, has received word that his eldest son, Corporal W. Preston, has been wounded in the face and right leg. We understand that the wounds are not of a very serious nature, although a slight operation will be necessary.

22 February 1918

INGLETON

MEMORIAL SERVICE – On Sunday last a memorial service for the Ingleton soldiers who have fallen during the war was held in St. Mary’s Church. The flag on the tower was hoisted at half-mast. There was a very large congregation, and prior to the commencement of the service the organist (Mr. C. Bentham) played a solemn voluntary. The vicar (Rev. T. D. Davies) conducted the service, special prayers, psalms, and hymns being read and sung. The Vicar delivered a powerful sermon, taking as his text St. John, ch. 13 v., 13, “Greater love hath no man,” and prior to this read the following name of the Ingleton men killed and missing , some of whom have been presumed dead. The ‘Dead March’ was played at the close of the service, and the sounding of the ‘Last Post’ by Bugler J. Robinson concluded a solemn and impressive service. The following were the names read out by the vicar:–

Men killed: 2nd-Lieut. Gerald Kirk, Pte. A. Noble, Pte. G. Scholey, Sergt. Jas. Metcalfe, Pte. Cyril Tomlinson, Pte. James [Jabez] Smith, Pte. Wm. A. Hodgson, Pte. John W. Wadeson, Pte. John W. Robinson, Pte. Joe Clapham, Pte. Wm. Smith, Pte. Jas. Schofield, Pte. Jas. Kettlewell, Pte. W. Marklew, Pte. E Askew, Pte. Percy Fletcher, Pte. Geo. Metcalfe, Pte. A. M. Booth, Pte. J. Woodhouse, Pte. W. Bolton, Pte. J. [W.H.W.] Wilson; died in hospital: Pte. Chris. Newsholme, Pte. Henry Wignall; missing: Sergt Robert E. Walker, Pte. Alfred Sherwin. Pte. Wm. Northy, Pte. Jas. Saul, Pte. Ed. Robinson. Pte. W. [J.C.] Bradford; torpedoed: Charles Grant.

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