Robert Armson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Robert was born in Foleshill/Bedworth in Warwickshire in 1887 and was the son of Robert a coal miner (born Bedworth 1856) and Eliza Armson née Richards (born Bedworth 1863) who were married at Foleshill Warwickshire in 1879. They had nine children - Hannah b1881 Bedworth, Mary b1883 Bedworth, Robert b1884 Bedworth, Ann b1886 Bedworth, Selina b1887 Hucknall, George b1889 Arnold, John b1893 Arnold and two who died in infancy. The family seems to have moved to Nottinghamshire around 1887. In 1901 they lived on Morris Street Daybrook. Robert senior was a miner and his daughters all worked in a laundry. On 18th April 1907 aged 24 Robert, who was apparently travelling alone, left Liverpool aboard a ship called Ionian for Quebec Montreal. In 1911 the remaining family was living at 26 Morris Street Daybrook.
He joined the Canadian Army and served in the 44th Canadian Infantry New Brunswick Regiment. On 9th April 1917, the Battle of Arras began with the intention of forcing the Germans from the River Aisne sector of the Western Front. The Canadians who formed a part of the First Army under General Sir Henry Horn, were led by General Sir Julian Byng. They took part between the 9th and 11th April, in the attack on and capture of Vimy Ridge the Canadian XVII Corps advancing some 6 km in all during this battle. However, by the 12th the Germans had reinforced their sixth Army under General Ludwig von Falkenhausen and it was not long before the battle became a stalemate. Robert died during the attack on Vimy Ridge and he is buried in Canadian Cemetery No 2 , Neuville - St Vaast, France
His brother George also served with the Sherwood Foresters during the Great War and was killed on 20th February 1916 aged 28 years
