Main CPGW Record
Surname: TOWNSON
Forename(s): Robert Weatherill
Place of Birth: Addingham, Yorkshire
Service No: 12818
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 9th (Service) Battalion
Division: 17th (Northern) Division
Age: 27
Date of Death: 1916-03-02
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 20.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: ADDINGHAM, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Robert Weatherill Townson (born 1 June 1888) was the son of John and Elizabeth Townson, née Metcalfe. John was born at Draughton and Elizabeth at Walden near West Burton, Yorkshire.
1891 Addingham, Yorkshire Census: Southfield House - Robert W. Townson, aged 2 years, born Addingham, son of John and Betty Townson.
1901 Addingham, Yorkshire Census: 108, Main Street - Robert Townson, aged 12 years, born Addingham, son of John and [stepson of] Sarah Townson.
Robert was married to Elizabeth Bancroft in 1909. Elizabeth married Thomas William Sinton in 1919.
1911 Addingham, Yorkshire Census: 133, Main Street - Robert Weatherill Townson, aged 22 years, born Addingham, husband of Elizabeth Townson.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Robert W. Townson, 12818, W. Rid. Rgt. Theatre of War first served in: 1 - France. Date of entry therein: 15.7.15. K. in A. 2.3.16.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Robert Weatherill Townson, 12818, 9 W. Rid. R. K. in A. 2.3.16.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Robert Weatherill Townson, 12818, 9 W. Riding Regt. Date and Place of Death: 2.3.16. In action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow Sole Legatee - Elizabeth. £6 0s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Robert.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
TOWNSON, Ben, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, aged 27, formerly of Addingham, killed in action in France March 2, 1916.
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Private Robert Weatherill TOWNSON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 17th (Northern) Division
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Marriage Register of St Peter’s Church, Addingham
Entry for the marriage of Robert Wetherill Townson to Elizabeth Bancroft, 10 April 1909
Courtesy of West Yorkshire Archive Service
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
10 March 1916
TOWNSON – Killed in Action in France Thursday March 2nd, Roland Weatherill Townson, 7, Main Street, Addingham, aged 27 years.
10 March 1916
ADDINGHAM SOLDIER KILLED
We regret to announce the death of Private Roland Townson, killed in action in France. Townson was a member of the Addingham Brass Band and joined Kitchener’s Army soon after the outbreak of hostilities, and was attached to the 9th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s. He was home on leave about three weeks’ ago and very much felt having to leave his wife and children again. The intimation of his death came to his wife in the following letter:–
Sunday, March 5th, 1916.
“Dear Friend, – It is with deepest regret that I have to write this letter, but I thought it my duty as soon as possible to let you know that your husband, my only pal, got killed with a shell in the attack when we took the German trenches early Thursday morning. I was with him at the time, and I got buried under him and a few others, and I am one of the luckiest men alive to be here to write to you, as the same shell killed six, and left me living. I can’t say any more, only he died with his face the right way, doing his duty to the last.
“I remain your sincere friend in sorrow, GILBERT SNOWDEN, 9th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.”
Townson was 27 years of age, and leaves a wife and two children to mourn his loss.
17 March 1916
ADDINGHAM'S FIRST KITCHENER MAN KILLED
We regret to announce that another Addingham man was wounded, and eventually died of his wounds, as the result of the taking of the German trenches on March 2nd. The unfortunate man was Private H. Leach, who, previous to the war, was employed by Messrs. J. Green and Sons, Bolton Abbey. He was the first Addingham man to enlist in Kitchener’s Army in September, 1914. Pte. Leach, who served through the South African War, was 38 years of age, and leaves a widow and four children.
The following letter from Sergt. J.W. Fisher has been received:– “It is with deepest regret I convey to you the news of the sad death of your dear husband, and send my deepest sympathy in this your hour of trouble. He died the day after receiving his wound, but I can truthfully say he died not suffering. He died doing his duty for the love of his home, King and country. Life here is so uncertain that death comes as a matter of course, but when it is one who is so near to you it makes you wonder who will be next. I am sure you will always know, and I will make it clear to you, that he did not suffer at all. Once again, hoping you will accept deepest sympathy.”
Sergt. W. Fisher also writes to Mrs. Townson, whose husband’s death we reported last week, as follows:– “I am trying to write you a few words of sympathy, although I hardly know how to express my deep sympathy for you in the loss of your dear husband. I do not know whether you have had the news broken to you or not, but I thought it was my duty to let you know that he was killed instantly and suffered no pain. It happened on the 2nd March, amongst a lot of others, and I know exactly where he was buried, and you can believe me he was put away in a very respectable manner. I hope you will try and bear your loss in the spirit that you know he did his duty when England called for help, an he died as a true soldier for the love of those he left at home and the freedom of his King ant Country. Once again, hoping you will accept my deepest sympathy.”
24 March 1916
ADDINGHAM – THE LATE PRIVATE TOWNSON
Mrs. Robert Townson has received the following letter from the Chaplain with the 9th Duke’s in respect to the death of her husband:–
“Dear Mrs. Townson, I expect you have received several letters of sympathy from friends of your husband in his regiment, but if I may I should like to add a further expression of sympathy. I know that to the bereaved ones no amount of sympathy can make up for the aching void in their hearts, but still we all want you to realise that we are sorry for you. Your dearly beloved husband, you are sad about him even to your heart’s depth, but you are grandly proud of him too. He has suffered in a very glorious way. He faced death and danger with a hero’s spirit. We are all proud of the men who died for their loved ones, their country, and the cause of righteousness. May I remind you of the ‘Great Sufferer’ – He who is afflicted in all the afflictions of His people; He who loved to be approached and to be used – Christ, who submitted to the breaking of the heart himself that he might do the binding up so perfectly for us: May He comfort you.
“Believe me, yours very sincerely, REV. H. W. AUSTIN, Chaplain.”
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
10 March 1916
ADDINGHAM MAN KILLED IN ACTION
We regret to announce the death of Pte. Bob Townson who was killed in action in France. Pte. Townson was a member of the Addingham Brass Band, and joined Kitchener’s Army soon after the outbreak of hostilities. He was attached to the 9th Battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. He was home on leave about three weeks’ ago, and very much felt having to leave his wife and children again. The intimation of his death came to his wife in the following letter:–
Sunday, March 5th 1916
“Dear Friend – It is with deepest regret that I have to write this letter, but I thought it my duty as soon as possible to let you know that your husband, my only pal, got killed with a shell in the attack when we took the German trenches last Thursday morning. I was with him at the time and I got buried under him and a few others, and I am one of the luckiest men alive to be here to write to you, as the same shell killed six and left me living. I can’t say any more only he died with his face the right way doing his duty to the last. I remain, your sincere friend in sorrow, Gilbert Snowden, 9th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.”
Pte. Townson was 27 years of age, and leaves a wife and two children to mourn their loss.
24 March 1916
THE DEATH OF AN ADDINGHAM SOLDIER
Mrs. Robert Townson has received the following letter from the chaplain with the 9th Duke’s in respect to the death of her husband:– “Dear Mrs. Townson, – I expect you have received several letters of sympathy from friends of your husband in his regiment, but if I may I should like to add a further expression of sympathy. I know that to the bereaved ones no amount of sympathy can make up for the aching void in their hearts, but still we all want you to realise that we are sorry for you. Your dearly beloved husband, you are sad about him even to your heart’s depth, but you are grandly proud of him too. He has suffered in a very glorious way. He faced death and danger with a hero’s spirit. We are all proud of the men who died for their loved ones, their country, and the cause of righteousness. May I remind you of the ‘Great Sufferer’. He who is afflicted in all the afflictions of His people; He who loved to be approached and to be used; Christ who submitted to the breaking of the heart himself that he might do the binding up so perfectly for us. May He comfort you – Believe me, yours very sincerely, H. W. Austin, Chaplain.”
14 April 1916
TO THE MEMORY OF ADDINGHAM COMRADES
The following lines have been written by Corpl. Sylvester Selby, R.E., of the British Expeditionary Force, France.
“To the memory of our dear comrades from Addingham who fought so valiantly, and died so nobly in the sacred cause of freedom, justice, and liberty.”
We shall meet our loved ones gone some sweet day bye and bye.
Be ye not weary in well doing, for in due season ye shall reap, if ye faint not.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more sorrow, neither death.”
LOVED ONES GONE
Have they gone for ever, from us,
Shall we never see them more,
Never catch the gleam of sunshine
As they did in days of yore?
Why have they been taken from us
In the fullness of their youth,
When all earth seemed full of gladness
To young hearts all full of life?
Dragged from home, and friends, and loved ones,
In far distant lands to fight
For the glory of old England,
And for honour, and for right!
On the burning plains of Egypt,
On the muddy fields of France,
On the watery bogs of Flanders,
British boys have done their part.
Done it nobly, never murmuring,
In the cause of freedom’s right,
Battles, of most bloody nature.
They have fought with gallant hearts.
Men of England! Men of Empire!
Rise in this our common cause!
Come, and smite this haughty tyrant,
That he may no more defile
Heaven’s good gifts and mankind’s God.
As we march along the country
And the devastation see,
Ruined churches, shattered houses,
Graves, with little crosses fixed.
Make us cry “O God, in Heaven,
Let us of Thy vengeance see;
Give us strength that we may carry
Justice right to victory.
Men of England! Men of Empire!
Come and help us in the strife;
Help to win a glorious victory
For the weak and for the right.
Onward, ever always onward,
Till the common task is done,
Till to those who have so suffered
In the cause of freedom’s right
Have been surely liberated
From the thraldom of his might,
Till for brothers, gone before us,
He has paid a fearful toll.
Shall we ever more behold them
In that told-of spirit land?
Where they say there is no sorrow,
Neither death shall be no more?
Let us each be all the stronger
In the hope of such great gain,
Let us carry on our labour,
Sure we’ll meet our friends again.
Corporal Sylvester Selby, R.E.
France, April 8th, 1916.
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