MIDSON, Robert


No.55818, Private, Robert MIDSON
Aged 20


148th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
formerly 11497, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
Killed in Action on Thursday, 11th October 1917


Robert MIDSON was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q3-1897 4A:763), son of Robert and Mary Ann MIDSON (née BEAVIS).



1901 census...Aged 3, he was at 8 Bumpstead Road, Haverhill with his father Robert MIDSON [42], horse hair weaver born Helions Bumpstead; his mother Mary Ann [42]; sisters Cissie [13], Lillie [11] and Hilda [5]; brother Herbert [8]. All except his father were born in Haverhill.

1911 census...Aged 13, a farm labourer, he was at 12 Bumpstead Road, Haverhill with his widowed mother (overlooker in tailoring factory) sister Cissie (tailoring sewing machinist); brother Herbert (oil hawker) and sister Hilda. His father had died in 1909.



He enlisted in Haverhill.

The 148th Company, Machine Gun Corps, was part of 148th Infantry Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division.On 11th they were actually in the process of being relieved by 2nd New Zealand Brigade in the St Jean sector. They were around the Gravenstafel Ridge, some outposts only 150 yards from the German lines in Bellevue Spur. Three men of the 148th M.G. Company died that day which may indicate one gun crew being hit.




Robert Midson is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial, panels 154 to 159 and 163A

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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