Other Information:Robert was educated at George Heriot’s School from 1900 to 1902. He served an apprenticeship with Messrs. Scott, Morton & Co, Cabinet Makers at Tynecastle, and then became a School Master at Elnwick School, West Hartlepool. He enlisted into the R.A.M.C. on 4th November 1915. He was 29 years and 2 months old at the time. Two days later he was posted to “S” Coy for his training. On 29th December Robert was appointed Lance Corporal, then acting Corporal on 29th February 1916 and acting Serjeant on 24th March 1916. He was then promoted to Serjeant on 7th September 1916, and embarked at Southampton on the 24th. He disembarked at Alexandria on 7th October, but embarked again for Basra - arriving on 15th November 1916. He joined the 3rd British General Hospital for duty the next day. Robert was admitted into his unit on a few occasions, suffering from various illnesses, one being Sand Fever on 14th April 1917. He was admitted again on 15th October 1917, being described as being seriously ill with Dysentery and was taken to India via the hospital ship “Varela”, returning to Basra on the 26th, he returned to duty the next day. He was appointed acting Staff Sergeant on 25th January 1918, then acting Serjeant Major with pay. On 10th October 1918 he was admitted into his unit suffering from severe relapse of epidemic influenza, with a high temperature and bronchial symptoms. He was also delirious at times. By the 17th he was showing signs of having bronco pneumonia with extensive pleurisy. His condition was described as being severe and serious. Robert condition slowly got worse and he died at 5.55. p.m. on 21st. The cause of death was described as Pneumonia, supervening on epidemic influenza, and was directly attributed to military service. He was the husband of Mary Ann Blyth of 20 Belmont Gardens, West Hartlepool. They had one son.
|