5500 Private
2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, 21st Infantry Brigade, 7th Division
Age: 30
Date of Death: 23.10.14
Buried: Menin Gate Memorial Panel 19 to 33 https://www.theypressalient.com/post/menin-gate-memorialÂ
Family history: He was married to Isabella who was residing at 2 Shaw Street, Greenock. Robert is listed in the 1911Â Census as residing at 36 Wellside Place, Falkirk with the Macdonald family, he was one of three boarders. He was employed as a coachbuilder.
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The action that lead to his death
On the 23 October 1914, the battalion, as part of 7th Division, were holding the line between Reutel and Poezelhoek. On the 23 October ‘D’ and ‘C’ Company supported by a company from the Bedfordshire's advanced down the Reutel ridge in an attempt to retake the trenches lost by ‘D’ Company on 22 October. They were held up by a strong enemy force occupying the trenches and were forced to withdraw. At 2pm the Germans launched an attack on the battalions front and this was beaten off. At 5.15pm No.3 section of the 54th Field company, Royal Engineers and supported by a section from the battalion blew up two houses close to the battalions front line that were providing cover to enemy snipers.
Medals Awarded:
1914 Star, The British War Medal, Victory Medal.
