20872 Private
2nd Battalion Royal Scots, 8th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division
Age: 18
Date of Death: 25.5.16
Buried: La Clytte Military Cemetery II.B.34
Family history: Son of William and Agnes Wallace, 6 Salisbury Street, Edinburgh. His father later moved to 11 Gairdoch Street, Carron Road, Falkirk. His mother having died. When he enlisted on 10 March 1915,  Robert gave his address as 47a Montgomery Street, Edinburgh and his age as 19 years and 240 days. He also stated that he was employed as a coal miner. An application was made by to discharge Robert as ’Application for Discharge of a Recruit as not likely to become an Efficient Soldier’ on medical grounds on 16 March 1915 however, this was not authorised. Following his training he was posted and landed in France on 1 June 1915. He was wounded on 13 November 1915, gun shot wound to the nose, and spent a little time in hospital and recuperation before rejoining his Battalion on 22 February 1916.
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The action leading to his death
The Battalion was in the line at Vierstraat from the 19 to 26 May 1916. The War Diary recorded that during this time the German artillery and trench mortars were more active than usual. Battalion casualities on 25 May were: 2 Other Ranks killed and 6 wounded.
Medals Awarded:
1915 Star, The British War Medal, Victory Medal.
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