Home > Ordinary Heroes > Frank Lane and Albert Robson

 

This is the story of brothers-in-law, two young men who died as commissioned officers in the British Army of 1914-1918. Neither of them has a known grave. This story is far from unique, as many thousands of family tragedies unfolded, but is nonethless one that should make us remember the sacrifice and suffering not only of the men, but their families too.
 
Frank Ashton Lane

Frank Ashton Lane was 19 years and 5 months old when he attested to join the army for 3 years or the duration of war, at 3 St James’s Street, London SW, on 9 September 1914. He gave his address as 53 Wroughton Road, Clapham Common West Side, the home of his father George, who he gave as next of kin and later identified as a schoolmaster. Frank, who was a single man, identified his birthplace as Feltham, Middlesex, his current occupation as a clerk and his religion as Church of England. Later, he noted that he had attended Emanuel School, Wandsworth between 1901 and 1913.

 

He returned to 3 St James’s Street the next day, for a medical examination. This revealed that he stood 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 144 pounds and had a chest measurement of 34 inches. The examining doctor noted that he had a pallid complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair.

 

Frank enlisted in the newly forming 17th (Service) Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers (Empire), and was given number 408.

Frank first entered the theatre of war in France on 17 November 1915, moving with his Battalion. However, by November 1916, Frank was serving with the 5th Trench Mortar Battery, attached to 5th Infantry Brigade. The Battalion was attached to this Brigade from 13 December 1915, and 5th Trench Mortar Battery was formed by withdrawing men from Battalions in the Brigade, on 11 March 1916.

 

On 4 November 1916, Frank submitted an application for a Temporary Commission in the Regular Army. It was counter signed by his commanding officer, Captain Ernest Osborn. As part of this procedure he was medically examined at No 5 Field Ambulance. Frank expressed a preference to join the Queen’s (West Surrey Regiment) on being commissioned but sadly this did not come to pass. Franks’ father George also counter signed the application (as Frank was under 21 years of age). A character reference was provided by Canon J. Erskine Clarke, of St Luke’s Vicarage, Battersea (a very well-known figure), and Frank’s former head master Shirley Goodwin certified his standard of education.

His application was accepted on 16 December 1916, and Frank as posted to No 2 Officer Cadet Battalion, at Pembroke College, Cambridge.

 

Frank was discharged on 25 April 1917, on being granted a commission. He embarked for France on 22 June 1917, and was posted to the 18th (Service) Battalion, the King’s (Liverpool Regiment), joining them at Tournehem seven days later.

 

Frank was killed in action during the Battalion’s attack near Hooge on 31 July 1917. Shortly afterwards, the dreadful telegraph notifying the next of kin arrived at 53 Wroughton Road. A report of his death that arrived at the Adjutant General’s office from the Battalion Headquarters on 7 August 1917 was not able to identify that he had a place of burial.
Winifred Robson, nee Lane
Frank Lane's sister Winifred married Albert Frank Robson.
Albert Frank Robson
Albert Frank Robson was born on 15 June 1893, making him slightly older than his brother-in-law Frank Lane.

In 1911, he joined the Officer Training Corps at the University of London. His service was terminated in 1914, when he graduated from King’s College.

 

He applied for a Temporary Commission in the regular army for the duration of war on 2 July 1915. At the time of his application, he was a single man, living at 90 Stormont Road, Clapham Common. Albert stated that he could not ride a horse . He also stated a preference for joining the infantry, specifically the 10th (Service) Battalion of the Queen’s, which he also noted was called the Battersea Battalion. His application was supported by Captain & Adjutant T. G. Hill, of the University of London OTC. Albert attended a brief medical examination at Queen Alexandra’s Military Hospital, Millbank, on the day before he signed his application, and was found to be fit for service.

 

As can be seen from the photograph, "Bert" married before February 1916, and his wife Winifred continued to live at the family home at 53, Wroughton Road, Clapham Common.

 

The Battersea Battalion was formed on 3 June 1915, and Albert became a subaltern at the time of formation. He served with the Battalion until he lost his life, a period of continuous service punctuated only by the time taken for him to recover from two wounds.

 

Albert received a wound to his right forearm during the battalion’s attack at Flers, on or just after 15 September 1916. He was admitted to No. 10 Red Cross Hospital (Lady Murray’s) at Le Treport, on 17 September. It is not known whether this led to a period of treatment and recovery in England, but this must be considered likely.

 

In June 1917, he was wounded again, this time severely, in the face and neck. He was admitted to No. 1 Red Cross Hospital (Duchess of Westminster’s) at Le Touquet, on 8 June. This wound was received during the battalion’s involvement in the Battle of Messines Ridge. Again, it is uncertain what happened to him, but presumably with a severe wound he had a lengthy recovery in England.

 

On 4 April 1918, a final telegram arrived at 53, Wroughton Road, bringing the dreadful news that Albert had been killed in action.

 

Albert died on 24 March 1918, at the age of 25, near Vaulx-Vraucourt, fighting the German offensive. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing.
Albert Robson (far right) is seen here leading a platoon of the Battersea Battalion, in England.
With thanks to Tony Webster for this story of his grandfather and great-uncle.
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