Robert Eric Griffiths

Story:
Robert Eric Griffiths was born in 1896 in East Knoyle and baptised there on 26th January, 1896. He was the son of John Griffiths, a labourer, and Augusta Mary Griffiths (née Brockway). Robert lived most of his childhood with his grandmother, Sarah Brockway, a widow, at 15 Knoyle Street, East Knoyle, Wiltshire. His mother was employed as a parlour maid and living away from home. There is no record of the whereabouts of his father at this time. By the 1911 Census, Robert had moved away from East Knoyle and was living with his uncle, Joseph Fountain, at 61 Chobham Road, Stratford, London, where he was an apprentice tailor. He enlisted in London as a Private in the 10th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Surrey) Regiment (Service No. G/10059) and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died of an unknown cause in the UK on 13th April 1916 and was buried at Wandsworth (Earlsfield) Cemetery, London (grave id. Screen Wall G.B.18.136). He is remembered on the East Knoyle War Memorial. (NB His parents were shown on the WGC Memoriam as living at St. Mary's Cottage, South Drive, Wokingham, Berkshire.)