World War 1
Search the known records to date of those lost from the wider Alnwick area in World War 1
Generally showing where they are commemorated, when they died and some basic facts about each person. There are gaps, however, so if you can fill in any missing details do please contact us.
Robert John Crisp
Forename(s):
Robert John
Surname:
Crisp
Initial(s):
R J
Service Number:
24457
Rank:
Private
Regiment:
Northumberland Fusiliers, 23rd (Service) Battalion (4th Tyneside Scottish)
Died:
18/10/1917
Aged:
23
Buried:
Tyne Cot Memorial (Tyne Cot Cemetery)
Service History:
Enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers on 31 August, 1914, at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland.
Served with the Expeditionary Force in France from 23 August, 1915, & was killed in action at Rortebeck Farm, near Langemarck.
Previously served with both 10th (Service) & 1/4th Battalion Territorial Force Battalions of the Regiment.
Crisp was killed towards the end of the 1917 Flanders Offensive, more commonly referred to as Passchendaele, infamous for the atrocious conditions men had to endure. On 16 October the Northumberland Fusiliers 23rd (Service) Battalion (4th Tyneside Scottish) moved into the forward area at Kortebeek Farm, near Langemarck. They were subjected to heavy artillery bombardments for several days resulting in many casualties. Crisp was one of two men killed on 18 October.
(Sources: 'UK, De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, 1914-18'; Part 4; Page 40. Also, 'Felton War Memorial: The Men behind the names'; Eleanor George [formerly Hall]; 2009; p. 33)
Background:
Born on 26 May, 1894, at Broomhill, near Amble, Northumberland, the eldest of seven children of Robert (a Gamekeeper at West Thirston) & Elizabeth (née Stewart) Crisp.
Educated at Thirston School.
By 1911 Crisp had left home & was working as a Farm Servant at Ashington Farm, Ashington, Northumberland.
Cousin of Private William Crisp (Regimental service #23776; Duke of Wellington's [West Riding Regiment], 2nd Battalion; KIA 12 October 1916).
(Sources: 'UK, De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, 1914-18'; Part 4; Page 40. Also, 'Felton War Memorial: The Men behind the names'; Eleanor George [formerly Hall]; 2009; p. 33)
Local Memorial:
Felton War Memorial incorporating Acton, Eshott, Swarland & Thirston