Pte
Robert Marks

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortejaar:
1897
Geboorteplaats:
Belfast, Antrim, Ierland, Verenigd Koninkrijk

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
Vlasarbeider

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Schotland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Strijdmacht:
British Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Private
Service nummer:
376427
Dienstneming plaats:
Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Schotland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Eenheden:
 —  Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), 13th Bn.  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
22/08/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Vampir, Zonnebeke, Belgiƫ
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
20

Gedenkplaats

Tyne Cot Memorial
Paneel: 13

Onderscheidingen en medailles 2

British War Medal
Medaille — 03/11/1920
Victory Medal
Medaille — 03/11/1920

Points of interest 3

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Dienstneming plaats
#3 Plaats van overlijden (bij benadering)

Mijn verhaal

Robert Marks was born in 1897 and was the eldest son of Thomas and Eliza Marks, of Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland. According to the 1911 Ireland Census, Robert worked as a flax-dresser in Belfast. He later emigrated to Glasgow, where he eventually enlisted.

Robert served in the Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), 13th Battalion, part of the 45th Brigade, of the 15th (Scottish) Division. The Division participated in the Battle of Passchendaele and on 22 August 1917 it attacked to the West of Zonnebeke with two Brigades, the 44th Brigade on the left and the 45th Brigade on the right. The attack of the 45th Brigade was carried by the 13th Royal Scots and the 11th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. They had to capture and consolidate three German strongpoints dubbed, Potsdam, Vampir and Borry Farm.

At 4.45 a.m., zero hour, the British barrage and the attack commenced. By 5.30 a.m. the men had reached Potsdam and Vampir, but they were held up by machine-gun- and sniper fire, coming from these strongpoints. The Battalion suffered heavy casualties, due to the relentless machine-gun fire. In the meanwhile the advance of the 11th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders had been checked in front of Beck House and Borry Farm. The Royal Scots were still able to capture some buildings along the Ypres-Roulers railroad, but any further advance proved neigh to impossible. At 1 p.m. it was decided to fall back to consolidate a line. By 2 p.m. the Battalion was forced to retreat a bit further, as allied shells were falling short on their positions. From 2 p.m. on the situation remained unchanged.

Robert Marks was killed in action on 22 August 1917, during the attack on Vampir and Potsdam Farm. The 20-year old has no known grave, possibly because his Battalion was forced to retreat, leaving many of the fallen behind. Private Robert Marks is remembered on panel 13 of the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Bestanden 1

Bronnen 3

45 Infantry Brigade: 13 Battalion The Royal Scots. (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1946/4).
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14303
Verdere verwijzing
Ewing J., The Royal Scots : 1914-1919, (Edinburgh, Oliver and Boyd, 1925), pg. 447-459.
Gebruikte bronnen
McCarthy C., Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Uniform, 2018), pg. 62-63.
Gebruikte bronnen

Meer informatie 3