Driver Thomas Robson

Reg No; 760879
Battalion; Territorial Force
Royal Field Artillery

Died September 20th 1917 aged 39yrs.
Remembered with Honour
Brandhoek New Military Cemetery 3.
St Andrews Church, Dalton le Dale.
Murton Cenotaph.

Thomas was born in Monkwearmouth Sunderland 1878. He lived with his parents Thomas and Jane E Robson. When Thomas was three years old we find him living with his parents, sisters Georgina, and Hannah Bruce at 34 Owen Street, Murton Colliery.

In 1901 the family were residing at 1 Albion Street Murton Colliery and by 1911 had relocated to 36 Pilgrim Street Murton Colliery

Thomas married Maria Martin in 1906 and they had one child Ivy.

Enlisting at Seaham Harbour he joined the Royal Horse and Field Artillery. Being awarded the Victory and British Medal.

Thomas was listed as ‘killed in action’ France and Flanders Sept 20th 1917.

The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force when War broke out in 1914. They were the first Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th Sept to defend the Suez Canal.

In 1915 they embarked for Gallipoli. Early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front. September saw the regiment moving north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm, and Sans Souci.

1918 they saw action during the Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras and Battle of Albert. At Armistice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont.