Page 164 - ATKCM_30.04.15
P. 164
ERTS H
The letter to The Stamford & Rutland News of 16th September
1914 includes in its list of Kings Cliffe men in the army – H
Roberts. This could possibly be Harry Roberts, son of John and
Elizabeth Roberts of Kings Cliffe, born 1881. It could equally
be Henry Roberts, son of Harry and Caroline Roberts of West
Street, Kings Cliffe, who was born in 1883. It is also possible
that it is Charles Henry or Robert Henry Roberts, if either of
them were known locally by their second Christian name.
There are too many H Roberts in the military history to be
confident of picking the right man.
ROBERTS John (Jack)
Private 6433 Essex Regiment
Lance Corporal 27632 7th Battalion, Border Regiment
Born in 1896 in Kings Cliffe, John (known as Jack) was the son
of Daniel and Emma Roberts, who ran the Wheel Inn on West
Street. Daniel also had a small piece of land that he farmed.
Jack was the brother of Thomas and Daniel Roberts. A small lad
of 5ft 5in (1.65m) and 9 st (71kg), Jack was 19 years old when he
enlisted at Peterborough in the Essex Regiment on 8th April
1916.
He trained with the Essex Regiment until August that year when
he was transferred to the 7th Battalion Border Regiment, and
went to France on the same day. The Battalion were heavily
involved in the subsequent battles of Albert on the Somme,
Delville Wood, Arras and Passchendaele.
In May 1917 Jack was promoted to Lance Corporal.
A letter arrived at his Regiment in January 1918 from Jack’s
father asking if he could be released for a few weeks to help
with some ploughing. No reply is recorded!
In the latter months of 1918 the Germans were in retreat and had
fallen back to their heavily defended position on the Hindenburg
Line. From August 1918 the Line was shelled and attacked until
it was finally breached on 29th September.
It was during these attacks, on 18th September, that Jack was
162
The letter to The Stamford & Rutland News of 16th September
1914 includes in its list of Kings Cliffe men in the army – H
Roberts. This could possibly be Harry Roberts, son of John and
Elizabeth Roberts of Kings Cliffe, born 1881. It could equally
be Henry Roberts, son of Harry and Caroline Roberts of West
Street, Kings Cliffe, who was born in 1883. It is also possible
that it is Charles Henry or Robert Henry Roberts, if either of
them were known locally by their second Christian name.
There are too many H Roberts in the military history to be
confident of picking the right man.
ROBERTS John (Jack)
Private 6433 Essex Regiment
Lance Corporal 27632 7th Battalion, Border Regiment
Born in 1896 in Kings Cliffe, John (known as Jack) was the son
of Daniel and Emma Roberts, who ran the Wheel Inn on West
Street. Daniel also had a small piece of land that he farmed.
Jack was the brother of Thomas and Daniel Roberts. A small lad
of 5ft 5in (1.65m) and 9 st (71kg), Jack was 19 years old when he
enlisted at Peterborough in the Essex Regiment on 8th April
1916.
He trained with the Essex Regiment until August that year when
he was transferred to the 7th Battalion Border Regiment, and
went to France on the same day. The Battalion were heavily
involved in the subsequent battles of Albert on the Somme,
Delville Wood, Arras and Passchendaele.
In May 1917 Jack was promoted to Lance Corporal.
A letter arrived at his Regiment in January 1918 from Jack’s
father asking if he could be released for a few weeks to help
with some ploughing. No reply is recorded!
In the latter months of 1918 the Germans were in retreat and had
fallen back to their heavily defended position on the Hindenburg
Line. From August 1918 the Line was shelled and attacked until
it was finally breached on 29th September.
It was during these attacks, on 18th September, that Jack was
162
