Robert Hemsworth
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Robert was the son of Stephen John and Mary Hemsworth (née Radford). His father Stephen John was born in Ordsall, Retford, in 1874, the son of Robert and Emma Hemsworth (née Merrills). In 1891 Stephen, a railway telegraph boy, was living with his family in Elkesley, Ordsall. His mother Mary Radford was born in Epperstone, Nottinghamshire, in about 1874. In 1891 she was a domestic servant in Ordsall in the household of George Tallents, a butcher, and his wife Amelia. Stephen John and Mary were married at Harworth & Bircotes All Saints in 1894. According to information provided on the 1911 Census, they had had 12 children of whom five had died; they had another child in 1915. Their surviving children, all but two of whom were born in Sutton cum Lound, were: Robert b. Bawtry, Annie b. Bawtry, William, Doris, Fred, Frank, Stephen Charles (Charley), and Raymond. Four of their five children who died in infancy were: Stephen and John b. 1898 (J/A/S) bap. St Bartholomew 1898 d. 1898 (O/N/D) and Jonathan and Nellie b. 1905 (O/N/D) d. 1905 (O/N/D). In 1901 Stephen (27), a railway signalman, and Mary (28) were living at 3 Lees Cottages, Sutton cum Lound, with their three children Robert (6), Annie (4) and William (1). The family was still in Sutton cum Lound in 1911. All seven surviving children were in the home on the night of the census: Robert, a farm labourer, Annie whose occupation was given as mother's help, William, Doris (9), Fred (7), Frank (4) and Charley (1). However, two of the children died within the next two years; Frank in 1911 and Annie in 1913. Raymond was born four years later. Stephen and Mary were living in Sutton cum Lound when Robert died in 1918. Mary died in 1933 (J/F/M East Retford). In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled Stephen was living at Town Street, South Leverton, Nottinghamshire; he had retired as a railway signalman. Stephen died in 1947; he was still living in Sutton cum Lound. The name of Robert's brother William's appears on the board in St Bartholomew's listed those from Sutton who served in the war. William probably served in the Royal Marines Artillery (215964), enrolling on 16 October 1917. Fred enlisted in the Royal Artillery (1423608) on 1 February 1922.
Formerly 1650, Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers) Robert enlisted at Retford and served initially in the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers). He served in France from 12 April 1915. He later joined the Corps of Royal Engineers with the Railway Battalion. He died at the 26th Casualty Clearing Station on 9 October 1918 and is buried in Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel and Palestine including Gaza (grave ref. CC.1). He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Medal Rolls Index Card: 1650 Private South Notts Hussars and 194364, 487874 Sapper Royal Engineers. CWGC - History of Ramleh War Cemetery (extract): 'The cemetery dates from the First World War, when Ramleh (now Ramla) was occupied by the 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade on 1 November 1917. Field Ambulances, and later Casualty Clearing Stations, were posted at Ramleh and Lydda from December 1917 onwards. The cemetery was begun by the medical units, but some graves were brought in later from the battlefields and from Latron, Sarona and Wilhema Military and Indian Cemeteries.' (www.cwgc.org)
WMR 38768, Sutton served WW1: Hemsworth W [William] CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Our loved one' CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Stephen John and Mary Hemsworth, of Sutton, Retford, Notts.' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father Stephen John was his legatee Original research by Colin Dannatt
