Our People - Robert Darwen

29 April 1918
#51864 Private Robert Darwen
9th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment
56th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division
Killed in Action 29 April 1918
Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref. Panel 61 to 63
Son of Robert and Margaret Darwen, of "Glenthorne," Hawkhurst Avenue, Broughton, Preston.
Robert Darwen was born about 1899 to Robert and Margaret Darwen (nee Wrigley).  In 1901 Robert was living at 7 James Street, Bamber Bridge with his parents who were both 39 years old.  The elder Robert was a self-employed window cleaner who was born at Whitte-le-Woods.  Roberts’ siblings were Mary (15), a cotton weaver, Margaret (13) a cotton spinner, Teresa (12), a cotton weaver, James Anselm (9), Martha (7) and Robert (2).  Everyone else in the household was born in Bamber Bridge.  

By 1911, the elder Robert Darwen had become a maltster and brewer and the family had moved to 20 Sergeant Street, Bamber Bridge.  Margaret was looking after the house and the family had been joined by another son, Austin Bernard (8).  Mary was still a weaver, as were Margaret, Martha and Teresa.  James had become an omnibus driver, while the younger Robert was a mule-spinner. Austin was at school.  

Robert enlisted at some point in 1917, but we cannot be precise as no service record seems to exist. He followed his elder brother James Anselm who had enlisted in 1914 into the army.  On the day of his death, the 9th Battalion suffered heavy bombardment from the German lines, sustaining about 50 casualties. The war diary reported:
"2:45 a.m. Heavy firing on the front line areas was heard and from this time the enemy gradually put a barrage on the rear areas, including the battalions positions, which lasted until 11 a.m.  This was heaviest about 7 a.m. and several direct hits on trenches and shelters were obtained, about fifty casualties being sustained.  It was later reported that the enemy had attacked heavily along the whole Corps front but had been everywhere repulsed.  This he repeated at 4 p.m. again shelling the back areas heavily.  About noon the Officer sent to Brigade yesterday returned with orders that the stand-to to move was cancelled." Major J.A. Busfield, Commanding 9th Bn. Cheshire Regt. 
According to the newspaper report below, James heard of his death after overhearing a conversation. James was also killed in action later that year.  Before the war, Robert had worked for the Bamber Bridge Spinning and Weaving Company at their Wesley Street Mill in Bamber Bridge.
Private R. Darwen, Broughton. Pte. Robt. Darwen (19), of the Cheshire Regt., whose parents, formerly of Bamber Bridge, now reside at Broughton, has been killed in action.  His brother, serving in the North Lancashires at the front, was unaware that Robert was in the same area till he came upon a group of soldiers discussing the death of one of their comrades.  He overheard his own surname spoken, and inquiries revealed that the man who had been killed was his younger brother.  Prior to enlistment a year ago Pte. Robt. Darwen worked for the Bamber Bridge Spinning Co. PRESTON GUARDIAN, Date Unknown
His mother Margaret was awarded credits of £5 7s. 3d. on 13 November 1918 and a War Gratuity of £4 10s. 0d. on 1 December 1919.  Robert was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. ​
Family headstone, St.Mary's Brownedge, Bamber Bridge. PRAY FOR THE SOUL / OF / SEPTIMUS DARWEN, / WHO DIED JANY. 19TH. 1907, / AGED 35 YEARS. / R.I.P. / SUBSCRIBED FOR BY FRIENDS. / ALSO FOR ROBERT, BELOVED HUSBAND / OF MARGARET DARWEN, WHO DIED / FEB. 11TH. 1956, AGED 74 YEARS. / ALSO OF MARGARET, BELOVED WIFE / OF THE ABOVE, WHO DIED / MARCH 27TH. 1937, AGED 76 YEARS. / ALSO FOR JAMES ANSELM & ROBERT / THEIR SONS, KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE. / R.I.P.
Family Headstone at St.Mary's Brownedge, Bamber Bridge
CWGC Robert Darwen
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