Information about birth

Year of birth:
1893
Place of birth:
Holbeck, West Yorkshire, England, England, United Kingdom

General information

Last known residence:
Holbeck, West Yorkshire, England, England, United Kingdom
Profession:
Stenographer

Army information

Country:
England, United Kingdom
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Gunner
Service number:
111980
Enlistment place:
Leeds, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Units:
 —  Royal Field Artillery, 55 Bty. 33rd Bde.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
12/11/1917
Place of death:
Zonnebeke Church - Zonnebeke Kirche, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
24

Cemetery

White House Cemetery
Plot: III
Row: Q
Grave: 8

Distinctions and medals 2

Points of interest 4

#1 Place of birth
#2 Last known residence
#3 Enlistment place
#4 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Robert Berry, a former shorthand typist, was born 1893 in Holbeck, West Yorkshire, England. He was the son of Robert and Catherine Berry. He enlisted in Leeds, West Yorkshire. He served in the 55th Bty of the 33rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery, part of the 11th (Northern) Division.

British artillerists, together with Canadians, were positioned in Zonnebeke during this time, behind the ruins of Zonnebeke Church. On November 11, 1917 the 55th Battery relieved a Canadian Brigade. On November 12, 1917 they were heavily shelled while using their 15 cm Howitzers in Zonnebeke. Three men of the 33rd Brigade were killed this day: Berry, Howard and Cooke

Robert, aged 24, was killed in action on November 12, 1917. Gunner Berry was initially buried where he fell, near Zonnebeke Church (28.D.28.a.00.80). After the war, his remains were exhumed and reinterred in the White House Cemetery, Plot III, Row Q, Grave 8.

Sources 3

33rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 95/1694/1).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used
War Office: Soldiers’ Documents, First World War (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 363).
https://www.ancestry.com/
Sources used

More information 3