KOSB / 6 DLI - J.W. Robson (3191213): any details?

Discussion in 'Durham Light Infantry' started by 8RB, Jan 25, 2020.

  1. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Agree, can't see a village in maps of the period. Note Redpath is at bottom left hand corner.

    Mellerstain House.jpg
     
  2. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    See first post.
     
  3. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    It certainly is an estate, of quite respectable proportions. Funny thing is, the estate is now directing me to this "Mellerstain Village" ("I have heard back from our guide who would be most likely to know, sadly they cannot help as all existing records of employees at the house are of a much earlier date. However they suggested Mellerstain may relate to Mellerstain Village rather than the house."), which I begin to suspect, doesn't exist. Am I wrong?
    upload_2020-2-3_21-26-24.jpeg
     
  4. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    For more items, see first post.

    DLI - Robson - cut 2.jpg
     
  5. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    From this map, I would guess Redpath to be a village rather than a house?
     
  6. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    I wonder if this is a coincidence but the English 1939 Register has a `Redpath` at nearby Rothbury and their tenants are also called `Robson` although no `J` theres two older people Allan Robson DoB 21 September 1881 and Margaret Robson DoB 08 November 1899 (surname later changed to Durham). Like I said coincidence?

    Kyle
     
  7. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Certainly looks that way but wouldn't rule out a house of that name.
    Redpath.jpg
     
  8. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Mind you there is a James Robson, dob 27/12/1897, living next door, a farmer. From 1901 he was born at Bickerton.
     
  9. travers1940

    travers1940 Well-Known Member

    Have checked on the modern OS map and the village of Gordon as per the address on the medal box in the nearest village of more than a few houses.

    It's been mentioned that Mellerstain was in Earlston Parish, was that at the time of the valuation Rolls, or now (possibly after amalgamation of parishes).
     
  10. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Tricky Dicky and travers1940 like this.
  11. travers1940

    travers1940 Well-Known Member

  12. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    Just sent an email to the KOSB museum and to "DLI collection inquiries" (I understand the regimental museum, sadly, has closed). If anything comes back, I will let you know!
     
  13. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    Got a very nice reply from "Local History (Live Borders) <localhistory@LiveBorders1.org.uk>":

    " I have done some digging through our records and I believe that I have established who J Robson was. Looking at the 1942/1943 Valuation Rolls I found an Adam Robson, ploughman, living in a house in Mellerstain village. I believe that this Adam Robson is J Robson’s father. Adam Robson died in 1958 at the age of 70 so he was too old to be a brother or participate in the Second World War. His death was certified by J W Robson, son. I followed him and discovered the following details.

    Adam Robson married Jane Sanderson on 17 April 1914 in Sprouston.
    They had a son James William Robson on 28 August 1918 in Rachelfield, Earlston.
    James William Robson married Catherine Begbie on 16 February 1951 in St. Giles, Edinburgh.
    James William Robson died on 11 April 1960 and his address was listed as Monteviot House, Ancrum however it was his mother Jane Robson who registered the death and she is recorded as being “Jane Robson, Mother, Mellerstain.”

    This is the only Robson I was able to find with a connection to Mellerstain but it was not the house itself but the village. "


    Is it possible that this "J.W. Robson" would have been registered with the army (and on his dog tags) as "J. Robson"?
     
    Tony56 likes this.
  14. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    I guess what the army knew him as would depend on what he put on his attestation form.
     
    8RB likes this.
  15. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Maybe the only route is to obtain the death cert for James William Robson died 1960, submit the forms to MOD Glasgow and see what come back if anything - if they cant find records they wont cash the £30 cheque - so to some extent nothing ventured nothing gained very little cost (just the death cert) its really the only foolproof way to know

    TD
     
    8RB likes this.
  16. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    8RB likes this.
  17. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    I've now got the death certificate, and would like to apply for the service records of James William Robson (hoping he's the one...), at Get a copy of military service records. The only obstacle I see now, is how to pay the required £30:
    upload_2020-2-15_14-16-2.png
    It seems they want some sort of (paper) cheque or something else on paper. And I haven't got a that! Can't I just make a payment to some bank account?

    Anyone here who knows what to do now? Maybe good to know: I live in Holland.
     
    amberdog45 likes this.
  18. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    No identification document was required?! I guess that also explains the graves of these 16 and 17 year old boys one sometimes sees.
     
  19. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    Had a great and extensive mail from durham.gov.uk today. Slightly busy right now, so will go through it only next week. It did however contain at least one fantastic piece of information:
    upload_2020-2-19_20-20-36.png

    So, I think we found him! Now I just need to get more details from various archives and service records!
     
    Steve Mac, stolpi, CL1 and 2 others like this.
  20. amberdog45

    amberdog45 Senior Member

    I'm still waiting to hear when the Registrar office can fit me in. Do you need any further details? His full birth entry, marriage details etc as they appear on the official registers?
     
    CL1, Tricky Dicky and Tony56 like this.

Share This Page