Drv Robert Wilson RFA (TF) 1676 (Northumbrian Brigade)

[MelPack]

This soldier was kiled in action with the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade RFA (TF) on 24 May 1915 at Zonnebeeksewegg during 2nd Ypres.

I have his MIC that records 24 May 1915 as the date of KIA and a memorial notice posted by the family in the Whitby Gazette on the first anniversary of the death but for the life of me I cannot find a reference to him on the CWGC, SDGW or even the Armed Forces GRO index.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Mel

[GraemeClarke]

Hi

I'm on a Kindle at the moment so struggling a bit, but there is a Wilson from Gateshead, regimental number 21804, who was killed this day, but in the Northumberland Fusiliers.

Buried at Ypres Town Centre Extension.

Does this mean anything ?

Graeme

[MelPack]

Hello Graeme

I am aware of that soldier with the same name and date of death but he is definitely not my man.

Thanks

[HarryBrook]

There is an entry for Robert Wilson, Dvr. 1676, 2nd Northumbrian Bde., R.F.A. in the Register of Soldiers' Effects on ancestry. Date of death given as 24.5.1915.

[MelPack]

Thanks Harry - I should have mentioned that I had that in addition to the MIC and the family memorial notice.

It is just completely bizarre that the CWGC entry can't be found.

[IPT]

Whitby Gazette - 4th June 1915

[David Porter]

I've been looking at the other deaths on that and the following day. There are more Scarborough and Whitby men listed and I see they are also mentioned in that same Whitby Gazette in other columns. The East Riding batteries from Hull were also badly affected. I've divided them between where they are commemorated - some of them only recently. Still no sign of Robert Wilson or any of the following in SDGW.

YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

1015 Gunner JAMES WILLIAM CLARKE 2nd Northumbrian Bde. (Addenda Panel)

SON OF JOHN AND MARY CLARKE, OF SCARBOROUGH.

1037 Corporal TOM ADAMTHWAITE CARR North Riding Bty., 2nd (Northumbrian) Bde.

SON OF EDWARD AND JANE CARR, OF BEACONSFIELD VILLA, SCALLY, SCARBOROUGH.

1308 Gunner JOSEPH WILLIAM ROWBOTTOM North Riding Bty., 2nd (Northumbrian) Bde. (Addenda Panel)

SON OF FRED AND MARIA MARY ROWBOTTOM, OF SCARBOROUGH.

1682 Gunner GEORGE ROBINSON 1st/2nd Northumbrian Bde.

1817 Gunner WILLIAM ALBERT VENUS North Riding Bty. (Addenda Panel)

SON OF ALFRED AND FRANCES VENUS, OF THORNE, HULL.

YPRES TOWN CEMETERY EXTENSION

769 Farrier Serjeant T MONDAY 2nd (Northumbrian) Bde.

1170 Driver THOMAS MARSHALL 2nd (Northumbrian) Bde.

SON OF LILY MARSHALL, OF 8, ALBERT TERRACE, SPRING ST., HULL.

1496 Fitter Corporal J T MONTGOMERY 2nd (Northumbrian) Bde.

HUSBAND OF DOROTHY F. MONTGOMERY, OF 10, CURZON ST., NEWINGTON, HULL.

1962 Gunner P SPAMER 2nd Bty. Northumbrian Bde.

BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, NORD

391 Serjeant George P HILL North Riding Bty., 2nd (Northumbrian) Bde. (MiD)

HUSBAND OF MARGARET HILL, OF 17, ABBEY TERRACE, WEST CLIFF, WHITBY

543 Gunner P TWEEDELL (Thomas Tweddell) DoW

392 Serjeant Frederic G GANDY 2nd (Northumbrian) Bde. (Died on May 25, 1915)

Apparently the War Diary states the following:

"A shell, apparently about 4in H.E. (high explosive), burst in rear of No.1 gun, a second hit the gable of the farm, and a third, striking the right wheel of No. 1 gun (A subsection), killed No 1037 Cpl TA Carr, No. 1015 Gr JW Clarke, No 1682 Gr G Robinson, No 1308 Gr J Rowbottom and No 1817 Gr AW Venus and severely wounded No 391 Sgt GP Hill, also putting the gun effectively out of action."