Robinson Ormerod

Private 18009
1st Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regt)

Died on Tuesday 15 June 1915, age 31.

Robinson was the son of Agnes Ormerod, of Fence; husband of Ethel Ormerod, of 1 Ivy Terrace, Wheatley Lane, Fence, Burnley. His ancestry can be traced through the Ormerods of Fence.

At the time of the 1901 Census he was living with his parents and siblings at 68 Cooperative Row, Old Laund. The details of his family at the time of this census were as follows.

At the time of the 1911 Census, Robinson was living with his with wife, Ethel (née Clarke), and his one-year old son, Harry, at 55 Barrowford Road, Wheatley Lane.

Robinson is commemorated on both Fence War Memorial and the war memorial at St Anne's Church, Fence, and is buried at Hospital Farm Cemetery, Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (Grave Reference: A. 7).

Hospital Farm Cemetery is located 6.5 km west of Ypres town centre, on the Hospitaalstraat, a road leading from the N308 connecting Ypres to Poperinghe.

Hospital Farm was the name given to a farm building used as a dressing station. The Cemetery was used particularly in 1915 and in 1917 by regiments and batteries engaged in the fighting around Ypres. The Cemetery contains 115 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and one French war grave.

1st Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regt) was part of 12th Brigade in June 1915.
12th Brigade was in turn part of 4th Division at this time, and had recently been involved in the Second Battle of Ypres.

According to Dr Brian Ormerod, Robinson was killed by a sniper whilst erecting barbed wire.

In British Battlions on the Western Front January-June 1915 Ray Westlake describes the activities of 1st Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regt) from January 1915.

"January-February-March

Carrying out tours in Le Touquet sector trenches. Sharing duty with 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers and resting at Le Bizet when out of the line. Part of 12th Brigade, 4th Division. War Diary records average trench life noteing [sic] on 1st January that the hospital in Le Bizet was shelled. A week later, 'C' and 'D' Companies were forced to leave their trenches after a heavy rain storm caused flooding. Carter's Farm was destroyed by enemy shellfire on 14th January. Mining activity, from both sides, around Sniper's House is also noted. On 20th April the enemy were actually engaged underground and shots were exchanged. Relieved 28th April and moved to billets in Bailleul. Marched two days later via Locre and La Brique and took over trenches at Wieltje.

Second-Lieutenant R. Selwyn-Pryor killed 1st. War Diary records next day that at about 4.30 pm a gas attack took place and shortly after - 'The enemy attacked our centre in a half-hearted way but were stopped by rifle and machine gun fire.' A few Germans, however, entered Listening Patrol Farm - '… but being charged by Corporal Cooper and about twenty men fled.' Lieutenant J.F. Greenwood and Second-Lieutenant E.G. Taylor were both killed. Another attack on the 3rd saw the enemy enter Listening Patrol Farm again. Second-Lieutenant R.A.D. McCullock (Lancashire Fusiliers attached) killed during unsuccessful counter-attack. Captain T.R. Scott was killed during shelling 9th. Relieved and into reserve at La Brique 10th. Moved back into front line 13th and on 16th took over billets at Oosthoek. To Vlamertinghe 21st and in evening went into line near Mouse Trap Farm. War Diary records that the enemy attacked with gas about 2.30 am 24th. The Royal Irish on the right were forced to retire and the enemy entered their trenches. Later driven out by King's Own bombers. Battalion withdrew later to canal bank dug-outs. Moved to positions at Cross Roads Farm 25th and on 27th moved back to support trenches near Irish Farm.

Relieved 1st and to Oosthoek. Took over trenches near Turco Farm 6th. Relieved 10th and moved back to support line at La Belle Alliance Farm."

Details of the war record of the 1st Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regt) in France and Belgium 1914, from British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914 by Ray Westlake can be found by clicking on the link below.

1st Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regt) in France and Belgium 1914

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database records that Robinson enlisted in the Army in Nelson, and that he died of wounds on 15 June 1915.

The entry for Robinson Ormerod in The Colne and Nelson Times War Album 1914-15 reads:

"Private Robinson Ormerod, of the 1st Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, died of wounds, received on June 15th, in France. He was 32 years of age, and enlisted in March last. Having been in training at Saltash, he was drafted out to France on June 1st. Before enlisting the deceased soldier was a member of the young men's class at St Anne's Sunday School, Fence, and took a keen interest in the work at the church. He was the eldest son of the late Mr. William and Mrs. Ormerod, of 53, Barrowford Road, Wheatley Lane, and leaves a widow and a son aged five years. He was, before enlisting, employed as a mason on the Hoarstones Estate, under Mr. W. H. Hartley. Of three cousins of the deceased soldier who joined the Army, one has been killed and two are missing."