Main CPGW Record
Surname: ROBERTS
Forename(s): William
Place of Birth: Barnoldswick, Yorkshire
Service No: 81252
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 7th (Extra Reserve) Battalion
Division: 63rd (Royal Naval) Division
Age: 19
Date of Death: 1917-10-30
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 28 to 30.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
William Wilson (Roger) Roberts was the son of William Wilson and Sarah Roberts, née Kendall. William, senior, was born at Liverpool, Lancashire and Sarah at Barnoldswick, Yorkshire.
1901 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: Butts - William W. Roberts, aged 3 years, born Barnoldswick, son of William and Sarah Roberts.
1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 32, St James Square - William Wilson Roberts, aged 12 years, born Barnoldswick, son of William Wilson and Sarah Roberts.
William served under age in France with the 8th (Service) Bn East Lancashire Regiment - see 'Craven Herald' (30 November 1917). His parents 'reclaimed' him but he was later conscripted.
William was married to Mary Leeson in 1917.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Private William Roberts, 17548, E. Lan. R.; GS/81252, R. Fus.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte William Roberts, 17548, 8th E. Lancs. R. 31.7.15 to 10.9.16. GS/81252, 20th R. Fus. 17.9.17 to 27.9.17. 7th R. Fus. 28.9.17 to 30.10.17. Theatres of war in which served: 1(a) [France].
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte William Roberts, G/81252, 7th Bn R. Fusiliers. Date and Place of Death: 30.10.17. In action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Mary. £14 15s. 8d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for William. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Mary, born 22.9.[98?]. Address: 10, Gisburn Street, Barnoldswick, W. R. Yorks.
William was killed in action during the Battles of Ypres, 1917, 31 July-10 November, at the Second Battle of Passchendaele, 26 October-10 November.
William is commemorated on the Barnoldswick War Memorial as W.R. Roberts.
A short biography of William is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
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:
ROBERTS, W.R., aged 19 years, Royal Fusiliers, 9, Havre Park, [Barnoldswick], killed in action Oct. 30, 1917.
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Private William ROBERTS
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 63rd (Royal Naval) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
30 November 1917
ROBERTS – October 30th 1917, killed in action on the Western Front, Private W. Roger Roberts, formerly of 9, Havre Park, Barnoldswick, aged 19 years.
30 November 1917
BARNOLDSWICK – ONE OF THE BULLDOG BREED
News came to hand on Saturday confirming the death of Pte. W. Roger Roberts (Royal Fusiliers), whose home was at 9, Havre Park, Barnoldswick. He was killed in action on the 30th October, aged 19 years. Pte. Roberts was amongst the number of ardent patriots who succeeded in satisfying the physical standard of the recruiting sergeant nearly three years ago (despite the fact that he was then only 16 years of age), and had actually spent fourteen months in active campaigning in France before the Army regulations was promulgated which enabled his parents to secure his temporary discharge. He was at home only three months, however, before he was due to report again for service on attaining the age of 18 years and 3 months. He returned to France in September. Prior to his first enlistment he worked along with his father at Mr. Jno. Sagar’s Quarries, and during the interval at Messrs. Holden’s Moss Shed.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
30 November 1917
ROBERTS – Oct. 30th, killed in action, Pte. W. Roger Roberts, of the Royal Fusiliers, of 9, Havre Park, Barnoldswick, aged 19.
30 November 1917
BARNOLDSWICK
ONE OF THE BULLDOG BREED
News came to hand on Saturday confirming the death of Pte. W. Roger Roberts (Royal Fusiliers), whose home was at 9, Havre Park, Barnoldswick. He was killed in action on the 30th October, aged 19 years. Pte. Roberts was amongst the number of ardent patriots who succeeded in satisfying the physical standard of the recruiting sergeant nearly three years ago (despite the fact that he was then only 16 years of age), and had actually spent fourteen months in active campaigning in France before the army regulation was pronounced which enabled his parents to secure his temporary discharge. He was only three months at home, however, before he was due to report again for service on attaining the age of 18 and 3 months. He returned to France in September. Prior to his first enlistment he worked along with his father at Mr. Jno. Sagar’s Quarries, and during the interval at Messrs. Holden’s, Moss Shed.
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