Joseph William Robison was born in 1893 in Bradford, the son of Albert and Sarah Jane, nee Lister. By 1901 Albert and Sarah had moved to 16 Acre Lane, Eccleshill and ten years later they were living at 14 Peveril Mount. Joseph at 18 years of age was a warper in a woollen mill. He was a member of the Eccleshill Baptist Sunday School and also the chapel choir. Joseph enlisted in 1915 but it is not known into which Regiment. However he took part in the Battle of Albert during the Somme offensive and was wounded in the right hip by shell fire on the 1st July 1916. Lucky On 14th July, the Shipley Times & Express published a letter Joseph had sent to his parents: “What do you think about the Pals now, or, I should say ‘Mothers’ Darlings’ for that’s what some people have been kind enough to call us. “To be quite candid, I am lucky to be here for there is very little left of

the whole brigade. “The lads went into the charge with heart and soul and there were no shirkers although they dropped like flies under a heavy curtain fire. “Both high explosives, machine guns and all kinds of fire forces were sent in front of us but those who were unwounded went dashing forward. Thrown in the air “I was running forward with a pal when a piece of shrapnel caught me in the hip and I was thrown up in the air like a shuttle. My equipment was shattered and fell off my back. “It might be a consolation for you to know that the steel looking-glass and my bible which I carried in my pocket saved my life. Any man who came out of the charge all right was very lucky indeed. “We took two German lines and a village up to the time of bringing me away so that shows we can beat

them in spite of their artillery fire. I am living in hopes of getting at them again.” The report added, ‘Pte Robinson is progressing favourably in Bristol Hospital.’ Upon his recovery he was attached to the 2nd Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) as Private 18/376. His Battalion was involved in the Operations on the Ancre from the 11th January to the 13th of March 1917 and at some point Joseph was wounded and he died in hospital on the 7th of March. The following appeared in the Shipley newspaper two weeks later: ‘Pte Joseph William Robinson of 16 Peveril Mount, Moorside Road, Eccleshill, has died in hospital in France from wounds received in action. ‘The following letter was received by Mr and Mrs Robinson on

Monday: “By the time this letter reaches you, you will have received the sad news of your dear son’s death. I buried him today in a little cemetery near here. Peaceful end “Would that I could say something to comfort you but in grief like yours, mere words seem useless and real comfort can only come from above, but believe me you have my truest sympathy as all the brave women in England have who are called upon at this time to sacrifice so much. “You must try and be brave for your son has now reaped his reward. He was quite unconscious of his suffering and had a peaceful end. “Yours, in deepest sympathy, J Parker, Church of England chaplain.” Joseph is buried in the Bray Military Cemetery. He was 24 years of age. He left his effects to his mother Sarah Jane who received £2.0.5d on the 19th July 1917 and a War Gratuity of £8.10.0d on the 22nd of October 1919.

. Researched and written by Jean Britteon, to whom many thanks