Robert Strelley born in 1887 was the youngest son
of William and Lavina Strelley.
1891 census has him living with Lavinia and William aged 4 in 59 Dunn St Glasgow. Upon his marriage to
Janet Bell in August 1912 he is working
as a ship rigger, aged 25.
With the coming of the Great War two years later he
appears to have enlisted as Robert Stralley in 5th Service Bn Cameron Highlanders on 3/9/1914
at age 27. Service no S 11517.
However he only stayed for one month before being discharged on 19/10/1914 as “unsuitable” and “not likely to become an efficient soldier" This record matches with his marriage to Janet Bell so is undoubtedly him.
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| Details from Strelley's Medical |
However he only stayed for one month before being discharged on 19/10/1914 as “unsuitable” and “not likely to become an efficient soldier" This record matches with his marriage to Janet Bell so is undoubtedly him.
Some time after this, Robert Strelley re-enlisted
as a Private in the 1/7th Blythswood Territorial Battalion.Service Number 280890. This is possibly
around March 1917 (see Will) The 7th (Blythwood) Battalion, Highland Light
Infantry was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 69 Main Street,
Bridgeton, Glasgow.
According to
the website www.wartimememoriesproject.com
in 1917 the 7th Highlanders were
“in action during The First, Second and Third
Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle
of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the
Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918
when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceeded to France,
sailing from Alexandria on the 11th of April, via Marseilles they concentrated
near Abbeville. 52nd Division took over a sector of front line near Vimy on
the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line
north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of
the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du
Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north
of the Mons canal engaged on clearing Herchies.”
But that was too late for Robert as he was Killed
in Action on 27th August 1918.
His medal
record shows he received the Victory and British Medal. Although a Private he is Acting Lance Corporal by the time of his death.
His grave
is located at St. Martin Calvaire British
Cemetery St. Martin-sur-Cojeul Pas de Calais France Plot: II. A. 25.
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| Robert Strelley's War Grave |
An informal will dated 28/3/1917 found in his Pay Book was
declared valid under Scottish Law. The will was likely made around the time he
re-enlisted. In it he left his property
and effects to his widow, Janet who was still residing at 20 Sister St with his one year old
daughter Agnes Short Strelley. Agnes was unlikely to have even met her father.
Sadly, Agnes died of convulsions on 25/10/1918 just 2 months after her father
was Killed in Action in France.
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| Strelley's informal War Will |
The second record for
Robert Strelley matched with the first due to the address recorded on a number of other
documents. Although it is not a very common name in Scotland, Robert had changed
the spelling of his name- perhaps to put the authorities off the fact that he
had been discharged before. It’s not unusual for the Scottish Strelleys to use
different variations in spelling.
Interestingly enough another child born illegitimately to
his brother William was also Robert
Strelley- regiment no 64222 turned up in the search. Born 1898 in Glasgow he had enlisted as soon as
he was old enough with the Royal Scots on 4/7/1918 but was discharged by 11/8/19 as "No longer physically fit for war
service". I'll have to chase up those records!!
Who is there to remember this man? Strelley died, along with both his children. Eventually his wife remarried and had more children. I wonder if there is a Strelley / Bell or MacMillan relative in Glasgow who has a photo. kanahookarob@yahoo.com.au
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