Robert TORRANCE

Main CPGW Record

Surname: TORRANCE

Forename(s): Robert

Place of Birth: Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire, Scotland

Service No: 222389

Rank: Gunner

Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Field Artillery

Battalion / Unit: 'A' Battery 162nd Brigade

Division: 33rd Division

Age: 30

Date of Death: 1918-04-24

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Addenda Panel 162.

CWGC Cemetery: ---

CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial(s): Not Listed (View Names Not Listed on a Local War Memorial)

Additional Information:

Robert Torrance was the son of John and Margaret Torrance, née Bennie. John was born at Strathaven, Lanarkshire and Margaret at Denny, Stirlingshire, Scotland.

1901 Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire Census: 40, Kerr Street - Robert Torrance, aged 13 years, born Kirkintilloch, son of John and Margaret B. Torrance

1911 Bradford, Yorkshire Census: 77, Tennyson Place - Robert Torrance, aged 23 years, born Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire. [Robert Torrance and James McDonald, who were both professional footballers for Bradford City, were boarding with John and Maggie Turner.]

Robert played for Bradford City in the replay of the 1911 F.A. Cup Final against Newcastle United at Old Trafford, Manchester. Bradford City won 1-0 and Robert was 'man of the match'.

Robert was married to Mary Smith at Bradford Parish Church in 1915. Mary, who was born at Bradford, was the daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Smith, née Romans. Thomas was born at Elslack (in the parish of Broughton) near Skipton and Rebecca at Selby, Yorkshire.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Gnr Robert Torrance, 222389, R.F.A.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Gnr Robert Torrance, 222389, R.F.A. Dead 24.4.18.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Gnr Robert Torrance, A/162 Bde. Date and Place of Death: 24.4.18 on or since. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow and Grantee - Mary. £17 10s. 6d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Robert.

Robert is commemorated in the 'City of Bradford Great War 1914-1918 Roll of Honour' and on the Kirkintilloch War Memorial.

Photograph courtesy of Bradford City Football Club Museum.

Data Source: Memorial Inscription on Family Gravestone

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

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Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.

Gunner Robert TORRANCE

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Field Artillery

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 33rd Division

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

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

View Additional Text

View Additional Text For Soldier Records

'The Athletic News and Cyclists' Journal' (01 May 1911)

The English Cup Won

There have been jubilations in Bradford, because the City team have taken the new English Cup back to the neighbourhood where it was made. More junketings and high jinks, as the American humourist said, are to follow.

Some of the hypercritical suggest that Bradford City were extremely fortunate to gain the most coveted and the most cherished honour of the game. We do not see their luck in losing the toss both at the Crystal Palace and Manchester, and keeping Newcastle United at bay for three weary hours in the face of a howling gale. The United took TEN corner-kicks in the first half of the game at Manchester, and yet not a shot pierced the netted haven. On the other hand, Speirs headed a goal when the wind was more than a twelfth man for the Novocastrians.

Bradford City played the more effectively, and consequently thoroughly deserved their triumph. Let the credit be given where it is due, for in seven matches their defence was only once beaten, and that by Norwich City, while they scored as many goals as suited their purpose. As a rule Final Ties in these days do not produce games of high class calibre, but that of Wednesday was quite up to the average of the last decade. We congratulate such a new club as Bradford City on their achievement against an eleven of great expectations.

Bradford City’s “Red Knight”

Bradford City, who preserved their policy a profound secret, changed their team at the last moment, Torrance superseding Gildea (late of Falkirk) as the centre half-back. Torrance has that hair of vivid hue which is supposed to be associated with pluck and daring deeds. He was introduced to play the part of Paul Pry. Often he intercepted, and entirely brought to naught the best laid schemes of the thrusting Tynesiders.

Robert Torrance has been likened to the fiery cross, not unknown in the mountain districts of his native land. The simile should appeal to Newcastle United. If Torrance has one feature which distinguishes him more than another it is that he is a stranger to fear. This quality, combined with his speed, and some slight previous experience in the middle line, marked him out as the man for the moment. The mission was committed to his care, and as a spoiler he made a reputation for himself. He had much to do with Bradford City taking the Cup into the West Riding for the first time in the history of Association football.

Torrance has been somewhat of a general utility player for Bradford City. He learnt his football first with Kirkintilloch United, then with Kirkintilloch Harp, and in the summer of 1907, he went to Bradford City as a right-back. After playing some time with the reserves he was drafted into the first team early in the season of 1908-9, when City had secured promotion to the First Division. But then Chaplin arrived on the scene, and Torrance went into reserve again.

In March, 1910, when Whittingham failed to turn up for the match against Sheffield Wednesday, Torrance appeared with no small credit to himself as inside-right, but sustained an injury while doing so. At the opening of the present season, when the problem of centre-half back was causing trouble and anxiety, Torrance was again transplanted, and in September he operated in that position against Sheffield United and Aston Villa.

Then the directors found Taylor, and Torrance once again became reserve back, as he thought that centre-half back entailed too much work! He is a well-built player of 22 years, standing 5ft. 8in., and weighing 11st. 7lb. He is a very useful man to have about the house.

At the Crystal Palace the attendance was only 69,800, and the receipts £3,338 13s. 9d., but at Old Trafford 66,476 spectators paid £4, 478–the difference being largely due to the fact that at Manchester there were no fewer that 5,000 seats at 5s. each.

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966, 1973-1995

1919

TORRANCE Robert of 103 Bridge-street Bradford Gunner R.F.A. died on or since 24 April 1918 in France Probate London 23 July to Mary Torrance widow and William Francis Smith esquire. Effects £194 11s. 3d.

1976

TORRANCE, Mary of 1 Glusburn Green La Glusburn nr Keighley died 14 December 1975 Probate Leeds 17 February £1761