Robert Sidney Plant
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Robert was the youngest son of John Rutherford and Emily Jane Plant (née Hellings).His father was born in Retford in 1859 (bap. St Saviour January 1860), the son of John Lomax Plant, a draper, and his wife Louisa. His mother was born in 1858 in London, Middlesex. They were married in 1884 (reg. Cheltenham) and had four children who were born in Retford: Edith Dorothy b. 1887, Charles Bailey b. December 1889 (reg. 1890) and twins John Rowland and Robert Sydney b. 1892 (J/A/S); John Rowland died the same year. John, a draper's assistant (presumably working for his father), his wife and their two children, Edith and Charles, were living in West Retford in 1891. However, by 1901 they were living on Holly Road, Ordsall, East Retford, although only their youngest son Robert was in the home on the night of the census, his two siblings were visiting a married couple in East Retford. John's occupation was now given as draper/shopkeeper (employer). The family was still living on Holly Road in 1911. However, the eldest son, Charles, has not been traced on the UK Census and had probably already emigrated to Canada.Robert's parents later moved to Dominie Cross Road, Retford. His father died in December 1926, residence 45 Dominie Cross Road; probate was awarded to his son Charles Bailey, engineer, and to William Thomas Plant, draper. His mother may have died in 1934.Robert's sister, Edith Dorothy, also emigrated to Canada and probably married there (Clarke). She was living in Toronto, Ontario, when her brother Charles enlisted in the Canadian Infantry in 1914 and was named along with their father as Charles' next of kin. Edith died in Canada in 1971.Charles, an engineer, enlisted in Toronto on 10 November 1914; he did not give a home address. He was posted to the 19th Bn Canadian Infantry (55266 Private) and arrived in England on the SS Scandinavian on 22 August 1915. He embarked at Folkestone on 14 September for BEF France. On 17 September 1916 he transferred to the 12th Officers' Cadet Battalion at Newmarket and was discharged from the Canadian Infantry on 25 January 1917 on appointment to a commission in the Imperial Army (later Lieutenant, Tank Corps). He had served for 2 years 77 days with the Canadian Infantry. Charles qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. It appears that he settled in the UK after the war and was recorded in Norfolk on the 1939 England & Wales Register. He died in 1968 (reg. East Retford, resident Kings Lynn).
5th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment)Robert Sydney Plant enlisted on 14th September 1914 and served as 267403 Private. He was awarded a commission, probably in January 1918. Robert was killed on 17 October 1918 by shell shrapnel while going to a dressing station for treatment for a slight wound.He is buried in Fresnoy-Le-Grand, Communal Cemetery Extension, Aisne, France (grave ref. B 12).CWGC - History of Fresnoy-Le-Grand Communcal Cemetery Extension (extract): 'Fresnoy-Le-Grand was evacuated by German forces on the 9th October 1918, and occupied by the 46th (North Midland) and 6th Divisions. The Extension was made and used by the 46th Division in October 1918.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC additional information: 'Son of John R. and Emily I. Plant, of 49, Domine Cross Rd., Retford, Notts.''Retfordian', In Memoriam:'Robert Sydney Plant, 2nd Lieut, 8th Sherwood Foresters, was killed in action in France on October 17th. he joined up on September 14th, 1914 along with a number of friends and school-fellows, including David and Harold Tanner, S Curtis, C R Gladish, S Lidster, Cecil Land and others. He was incapacitated with knee trouble, and was in the records office at Lichfield until he went into training for a commission, which he took in January this year. he went to France ten weeks ago and had only been out there five weeks when he met his death. The Lieut-Colonel commanding wrote to the young officer's father, "I ask you to accept my sincere sympathy in the great loss you and all of us have sustained by the death of your son. He was slightly wounded and was going back to the dressing station to have his wound attended to, when he was struck by a piece of shell which burst close to him, killing him instantaneously. I can only hope that it will be of some small comfort to you that he died doing his duty like a brave British solder, who never knew what fear meant. He was loved by every man in his platoon, who are grieved at the loss of their leader.'Worksop Guardian 25 October 1918 - Lieut Sydney Robert Plant 'Intelligence was received at Retford yesterday, that Lieut Sydney Robert Plant of the Sherwood Foresters, had been killed in action in France. He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs J R Plant of the Market Square and Holly Road, Retford. His younger brother is serving with the Tanks.'Retford Times 1st Nov 1918 - 2nd Lieutenant Robert Sidney Plant 'We regret to record the death of second Lieutenant Robert Sydney Plant, Sherwood Foresters, youngest son of Mr and Mrs J R Plant, the Square and Dominie Cross Road, Retford who was killed in action in France on Oct 17th. Mr Plant has received the following letter from the Lieut Colonel Commanding the Battalion, which explains the circumstances under which Lieut Plant met his death:- “I ask you to accept my sincere sympathy in the great loss you and all of us have sustained by the death of your son. He was slightly wounded and was going back to the dressing station to have his wound attended to, when he was struck by a piece of shell which burst close to him, killing him instantaneously. I can only hope that it can be some small comfort to you, that he died doing his duty like a brave British soldier, who never knew what fear meant. He was loved by every man in his platoon who are grieved at the loss of their leader.” Lieut Plant was a young man of genial disposition and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He was educated at Retford Grammar School and when the war broke out was in business with his father. He joined up on September 14th 1914 along with a number of friends including, David and Harold Tanner, S Curtis, C R Gladish, S Lidster, Cecil Land and others. He was incapacitated with knee trouble, and was in the records office at Lichfield until he went into training for a commission, which he took in January this year. he went to France ten weeks ago and had only been out there five weeks when he met his death. Much sympathy is felt with Mr and Mrs Plant in their sad bereavement. They have another son, Lieut Charles Plant serving in France with the tanks. When war broke out he had been in Canada for four or five years working as an engineer, but he gave up his position and came over with the second Canadian contingent and saw some hard fighting at Ypres and on the Somme before taking a commission after which he was attached to the tanks.'Probate: Robert's father was awarded administration of his Will (Effects £153 5s. 7d.)
