Wilfred Roberts was killed in action on this day in 1917
Wilfred Roberts was born on 31 Jan 1897 in Glossop, Derbyshire. His parents were Reuben Roberts, a Printworks Labourer, and Emma (née Youel). In 1901 age 4, he was living at 73 Primrose Terrace in Glossop with his parents, an older brother and 2 older sisters.
He was educated locally in Glossop and, in 1911 age 14, was working as a Cotton Weaver like all his older siblings. The family still lived at the same address although his father had now become an Insurance Agent.
On 8 Feb 1915, age 18, Wilfred joined the 1st/6th (Territorial) Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment with Servce Number 3962. After training, he went overseas on 13 Jan 1916 and served in France and Flanders. The 6th Battalion was part of the 118th Brigade and Wilfred was attached to the 118th Trench Mortar Battery which was formed on 1 July 1916 from two sections that had joined 7 April 1916.
In December 1916, the Battalion was in trenches at Boesinghe. On 6 December. Wilfred was "Listed as wounded on the Casualty List issued by the War Office" and "entitled to wear a Wound Stripe". Although the Battalion Was Diary suggests that the 6th was a quiet day, it notes that 4 Other Ranks were hospitalised. It is possible that, as a member of the 118 Trench Mortar Battery, he was away from the Battalion and, therefore, outside the remit of the War Diary.
Early in 1917, and in line with changes across the British Army, his Service Number changed to 266497.
In mid-1917, "The Honourable Sir Douglas Haig has submitted [Wilfred's name] as deserving a special Mention in Despatches". Whilst we have no information about why he received a mention, it was duly reported in the London Gazette.
Wilfred received the following letter from Lieut. General Sir Aylmer Hunter Weston D.S.O., M.P., Commanding 8th Corps
"To 3962 Private W. Roberts, 6th Battn, The Cheshire Regt., attd. 118th T.M.B. I heartily congratulate you on the honour done you by His Majesty the King in mentioning you in his recent Birthday Honour Despatch 16 June 1917"
Around this same time, he was promoted to Lance Corporal. In October 1917, the Battalion was in position at Kemmel Hill. As when he was wounded in 1916, the Battalion War Diary suggests that this was a quiet period out of the front line but, on 19 October, Wilfred was killed in action (again, maybe away from his Battalion).
Wilfred's Pension Records record his date of death as the 20th but the CWGC confirms it as the 19th. He was buried in La Clytte Military Cemetery
His Captain wrote to Wilfred's parents:
"Your son was always a most cheery and brave soldier. His place in the battery will be very hard to fill, and his loss will be greatly felt by all officers and men."
One of his comrades from the Battalion wrote:
"He was always one of the first to help a chum and to do his duty, and that in him I have lost a dear friend. He was good enough to send my letters on to me after I left him in France recently, and to acquaint me with the whereabouts of the boys, as I was in the same battery, and his last letter to me was most cheery."
266497 Lance Corporal Wilfred Roberts, 1st/6th (Territorial) Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment