264467 Pte. Robert Earnest Rix British Army 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers from:2 East Terrace, Bomarsund, Stakeford, Northumberland (d.27th Jun 1916) I have found my great uncle Robert Rix enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers at Bedlington, England in 1916.
Robert was born in Widdrington pit village (coal mine), in the North East of England in 1894 and would become one of 14 children of George and Alice Rix. His father was a coal miner. The family moved to Bomarsund/Stakeford in 1911 and were living at 2 East Terrace. Many of the older boys and their father worked in the coal mine there also. Robert was a pit pony driver, from the about the age of 13.
Robert enlisted as a private in the 21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion. After training he landed in France, and his battalion was sent to the Western Front (and finally, the Somme).
No more is noted in the records until he next turns up at the 38th Casualty Clearing Station. He was gassed, and died there on the 27th of June 1916 aged 20. His effects went to his family who were also posthumously awarded his medals; the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
He will always be remembered for his sacrifice for his country.
Family memories say Robert's father George, was never the same man after Robert was killed.
George died of heart failure less than a year later. Possibly it may have also been a broken heart.
Private Robert Earnest Rix is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe, Somme, France and is remembered on the following memorials:
- Bedlington Coal Company memorial in the Chapel of Rememberance at St Cuthberts Church of England Church, Bedlington.
- Also in a memorial in the forecourt of Stakeford Memorial Hall.
- Also on a Roll of Honour to The Heroic Dead originally at the West Sleekburn Middle School. The school is now closed and the plaque was moved to St Peters Church Hall.
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