Robert Charles Withers
Surname: Withers
Other names: Robert Charles
Locations in this story: Salisbury, WiltshireGoodworth Clatford, HampshireUpper Tulse Hill, LondonLambeth, LondonBattersea, LondonShaftesbury, DorsetSt. Pancras, Middlesex
Story: Robert Charles Withers was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 8 Jul 1893 and baptised at St. Edmund's Church, Salisbury, on 29 Oct 1893 the son of Walter Seward Withers and Jane Hudson Withers (nee Bain). He lived his early life in Salisbury until by 1901 the family had moved to Goodworth Clatford, Hampshire. Robert received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, which he left in 1907. He had enlisted with the 18th Battalion of the London Regiment eventually holding the rank of Colour Sergeant (Service No. 2428). He was at sometime transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers (Service No. 52197). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He had married Hilda Buxton at Holy Trinity Church, Upper Tulse Hill, London, on 21 Oct 1916. Regrettably his wife died in Wandsworth, London, during 1920 and by the 1921 Census he was living at 4 St. Mark's Crescesnt, St. Pancras, Middlesex, described as a Commercial Traveller - Confectionery. By the time of the 1939 Register he at 67 Tasman Road, Lambeth, London, now described as a Representative for an Instrument Maker as well as a volunteer ARP Stretcher Bearer. His death was recorded at the Battersea, London, Registry, in 1959. Of his brothers, Richard Seward Withers, also served in the conflict and survived whilst Walter Seward Withers, who had no apparent association with Shaftesbury, was killed in action.
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