Robert Charles Withers

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.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 67 Tasman Road, Lambeth, London, described as a Representative as well as a volunteer ARP Stretcher Bearer.  His death was recorded at the Battersea, London, Registry, in 1959.   His brother, Richard Seward Withers, also served in the conflict.