Robert's Story.
Robert had been born in the parish of St Mary's C of E Church, Stockport and the family home was at 15 Park Street. He worked at Bunting & Co, Carr Mills, Stockport but it is not known in what capacity. He enlisted into the Army in September 1914.In the early part of 1917, the Battalion was in the Ploegsteert area of Belgium, close to the border with France. It was a quiet sector with no major battles taking place. At such times, it was common for the opposing troops to raid each other’s trenches with the intent of gathering intelligence and to disrupt the enemy morale. The History of the 25th Division records that several such raids were conducted by the 10th Cheshire’s It also notes that the Germans conducted several. One is believed to have been undertaken on 15 April 1917. Robert received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions on that day as described in the official citation “During a hostile raid on our trenches, he showed great coolness and courage under heavy fire. He brought a machine gun through the hostile barrage and rendered the greatest possible assistance.“ Robert was killed during the Battle of the Lys. The local press, reporting his death, noted that he had two brothers serving with the army and another with the navy.