Robert Southern Ormerod

 

Private 201891
2nd/4th Bn, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Robert was the son of Thomas and Emma Ormerod, of Bolton; and the husband of Bertha Ormerod, of 62 Shrewsbury Road, Bolton.

He died of wounds on 5 September 1918, and is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Tréport, France (Grave Ref. VIII. E. 6B).

Le Tréport is a small seaport 25 kilometres north-east of Dieppe. During the First World War, Le Tréport was an important hospital centre and by July 1916, the town contained three general hospitals (the 3rd, 16th and 2nd Canadian), No. 3 Convalescent Depot and Lady Murray's BRCS Hospital. The 7th Canadian, 47th and 16th USA General Hospitals arrived later.

2nd/4th Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, was attached to 170th Brigade, 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division.

Robert's Army Service Record shows that he was wounded (GSW Shoulder R) on 30 August 1918.

He was transferred to the 43rd Casualty Clearing Station, and from there to the 3rd General Hospital, where he died from his wounds on 5 September 1918.

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database records that Robert was born and enlisted in the Army in Bolton.

The 2nd/4th Battalion's War Diary for 29 - 30 August 1918 records:

"In the field Aug 29th Moved up to front line taking over from 2/4 South Lancs, approximate line U10d78 to U11c39. Zero hour was 1pm our first objective was HENDECOURT-BULLECOURT ROAD. 2nd objective was GREYHOUND TRENCH. The 1st objective was to be taken without a barrage. The barrage was sent down on the 1st objective [sic]. Our left flank was unprotected owing to the Canadians being 1000 yds away. We succeeded in gaining our objective. The Battn on our right, the 2/5 KORL Regt taking RIENCOURT. Our objective was taken by 2pm.

In the field Aug 30th The Battn held on to their objective during the night. About 12.35pm the enemy counter-attacked in large numbers were beaten off three times. The enemy suffering heavy casualties. Owing to the KORL Regt having to retire from RIENCOURT the Battn received orders to retire to CEMETERY AVENUE at 1.30pm. The line the Battn held until relieved by the 171st Brigade at about 4pm, moving back into area U2d24-U3c37-U8b45 1 5-U9A CENTRAL."

     

Robert's grave in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Tréport

A section of British Trench Map 20-51BSW-8D-270718, showing the area in which 2nd/4th Bn, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment were fighting on 29-30 August 1918