Pte
Robert Roberts
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1888 |
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Place of birth: Brymbo, Wrexham, Denbigh, Wales, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Brass Finisher |
Army information
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Country: Northern Ireland, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 17449 |
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Enlistment place: Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Royal Irish Fusiliers, 9th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 16/08/1917 |
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Place of death: Pommern Redoubt, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 29 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: VI Row: D Grave: 15 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal — 13/11/1920 |
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Victory Medal Medal — 13/11/1920 |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Private Robert Roberts, a 29-year-old Brass Finisher from Birmingham, Warwickshire was killed in action on the 16th of August 1917. At the time of his death Robert served with the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, part of the 108th Brigade, of the 36th (Ulster) Division.
On the 16th of August 1917 the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers assembled in an old trench running from Pommern Redoubt (HQ) to Iberian Farm. Moments after the men advanced behind the barrage they were already held up at Hill 35. But notwithstanding the persistent machine-gun fire coming from Somme and Gallipoli the Battalion managed to capture Hill 35. In the meanwhile the 7/8th Royal Irish Fusiliers got ahead of them as did the barrage. A platoon was left to consolidate Hill 35, as the assault continued. The 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers pushed on until they reached a double row of wire to the south and the east of Gallipoli. The wire was only cut in one or two places and this held up the advance. German machine-gun fire was brought to bear on them from dugouts in Gallipoli, Aisne House, Martha House and from Hill 37, which caused a lot of casualties.
It was found impossible to push on and the Battalion was forced to retire. It took up position at a trench running along Hill 35. But machine-gun fire from Hill 37 was enfilading this position and again the Battalion was forced to retreat, now to a trench running in a southern direction on Hill 35. This position was consolidated and held until the 16th (Irish) Division to their right had been pushed back by German counterattacks. With their right flank up in the air and enfilade fire coming from Iberian Farm, the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers had no choice than to pull back to their original positions.
Private Robert Roberts was killed in the attack on Hill 35, leaving behind his wife Louisa, with their three children. Robert was buried in the field at Pommern Redoubt near Pommern Castle. His remains were exhumed after the war and were laid to rest in the Tyne Cot Cemetery.
On the 16th of August 1917 the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers assembled in an old trench running from Pommern Redoubt (HQ) to Iberian Farm. Moments after the men advanced behind the barrage they were already held up at Hill 35. But notwithstanding the persistent machine-gun fire coming from Somme and Gallipoli the Battalion managed to capture Hill 35. In the meanwhile the 7/8th Royal Irish Fusiliers got ahead of them as did the barrage. A platoon was left to consolidate Hill 35, as the assault continued. The 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers pushed on until they reached a double row of wire to the south and the east of Gallipoli. The wire was only cut in one or two places and this held up the advance. German machine-gun fire was brought to bear on them from dugouts in Gallipoli, Aisne House, Martha House and from Hill 37, which caused a lot of casualties.
It was found impossible to push on and the Battalion was forced to retire. It took up position at a trench running along Hill 35. But machine-gun fire from Hill 37 was enfilading this position and again the Battalion was forced to retreat, now to a trench running in a southern direction on Hill 35. This position was consolidated and held until the 16th (Irish) Division to their right had been pushed back by German counterattacks. With their right flank up in the air and enfilade fire coming from Iberian Farm, the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers had no choice than to pull back to their original positions.
Private Robert Roberts was killed in the attack on Hill 35, leaving behind his wife Louisa, with their three children. Robert was buried in the field at Pommern Redoubt near Pommern Castle. His remains were exhumed after the war and were laid to rest in the Tyne Cot Cemetery.
Sources 7
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"Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Uniform, 2018, pg. 52-55. Sources used |
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"The Royal Irish Fusiliers : 1793-1968." Cunliffe, M., Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1970, pg. 324-327. Sources used |
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"The Royal Irish Fusiliers (the 87th and 89th Regiments of Foot)". Harris, H. London, Leo Cooper, 1972, pg. 100-103. Sources used |
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/ Further reference |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/464451/roberts,-/ Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Sources used |
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War Diary Royal Irish Fusiliers, 9th Bn. http://www.nmarchive.com/ Further reference |