Robert Leslie Carpenter was killed in action on this day in 1915
Robert was born in Margate on 12 April, 1895, the only son of Robert and Eliza Carpenter. In 1901, the family was living in Tressillian Road in Greenwich. Robert had an elder sister, Margaret. His father’s occupation was stated to be Bankers Clerk. He was employed by the London and County Bank.
By 1911, the family had moved to Friends Road in Croydon, with two servants now in the household, with his father’s occupation now described as ‘bank inspector’. Robert attended Whitgift Grammar School in Croydon.
On leaving school in 1912, Robert followed his father into banking, taking up employment with the London County & Westminster Bank (previously the London and County Bank). Outside of work, Robert had joined the 17th Bn. of the London Regiment (Poplar and Stepney), based in Tredegar Road. As part of the 2nd London Division, they were on annual camp at Salisbury Plain when war broke out on 4 August 1914.
Robert quickly volunteered for overseas service and went to France in March 1915 as part of the 1/17th Bn. London Regiment. Initially intended to join the Second Army in the Ypres area, the Battalion was instead sent by 42 motor buses to St. Venant and then spent some time in Bethune to reinforce the First Army. In April 1915, the Battalion moved into the trenches, moving into the front line trenches for the first time on 26 April 1915. During the fighting at Festubert in May 1915, the 1/17th were in support but not fully engaged. On 26 July, the War Diary includes the text of a letter received from the Brigadier General in which he stated:
“..his extreme satisfaction at the amount of work done by the Battalion in its recent tour of duty in the trenches, more particularly with reference to the ‘B’ line of defense”.
On the first day of the battle of Loos, the Battalion was in reserve. By mid October 1915, they were in the front line at Loos, near Fort Tosh. On 26 October 1915 the Battalion War Diary indicates:
“During the shelling of the trenches a man, Rfm Peat, was buried just leaving his head out of the earth and free to the open air. Several went to his rescue and in so doing either lost their lives or were seriously injured”.
One of those killed was Robert Carpenter. He was initially buried in Crucifix Cemetery, but his grave was later concentrated to Dud Corner Cemetery. His parents chose the following personal inscription for his headstone:
AN ONLY SON "TO WHAT PURPOSE IS THIS WASTE?" S.MATT.26.8
His obituary in the bank's staff magazine recalled him as someone who 'knew no fear and was always considerate to his men.' He is commemorated on the NatWest Bank memorial at Bishopgate, London and on the Whitgift Grammar School War memorial
Lieut. Robert Leslie Carpenter, 1/17th Bn. London Regiment