Robert William Lilliman
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Robert William Lilliman was born in 1889 at Brimington and was the son of Henry a coal miner hewer and Hannah Lilliman née Harrison of 143 Blake Street, Mansfield Woodhouse. His father Henry was born in 1857 at Staveley and his mother Hannah Harrison was born in 1858 also at Staveley, they were married on 20th June 1881 and went on to have 21 children, sadly 12 died in infancy or early childhood, their children were, Joseph b1882 Staveley William Henry b1883 Staveley, John b1886 Staveley, Robert b1889 Brimington, Violet b1891 Taplow Thomas b1895 Sheepbridge, Derbyshire, Sarah Ann b1898 Brimington, Derbyshire, Annie Mary b1900 Poolsbrook, Derbyshire, and Henry b1904 Hodthorpe, Derbyshire, Robert William married Lillian Frances Elizabeth Arnold, on 16th July 1910 at the parish church at Warsop. They lived at 53 Sherwood Street, Mansfield Woodhouse. Robert's widow Lillian married John Radford in 1917; they lived at 28 Brummer Ave, Shirebrook.
Colour Sergeant Major Robert William Lilliman enlistied at Mansfield 21st April 1915. aged 26 years and 334 days. He had previously served with the Grenadier Guards but been discharged as medically unfit. He was appointed lance corporal 17th May 1915, promoted to corporal 2nd June 1915, sergeant 25th June 1915 and colour sergeant major 24th August 1916. Robert served in France from 6th March 1916 and was killed in action 10th October 1916 in the attack on Schwaben Redoubt during the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France (Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A).
Four brothers also served, Joseph and William were killed and John was discharged as not being an efficient soldier and Thomas was de-mobolised in 1919. Their brother-in-law Charles Wharmby also served. Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 09/11/1916: 'A Mansfield Woodhouse Hero; another Lilliman makes the supreme sacrifice. S/major Robert Lilliman of 53 Sherwood Street Mansfield Woodhouse is the 3rd brave soldier of the Lilliman family to lay down his life in his country service. Killed in action on an attack on Theipval. He was shot through the neck and died in the arms of Sgt Trueman.' Several letters were printed in the report. Robert's personal possessions were returned to his widow and comprised: 1 metal watch, 1 dictionary, 1 working men's club book, 1 letter case, photographs, notebook, 2 razors and 1 ID disc.
