Pte 57569 Robert Nicoll Rodger

In 1891, before Robert’s birth, his parents, with six children, were living at 8 Brown Street, Dundee.  His father was 44, a twine spinner, and his brother David, 15, also worked in the mill.

 

In 1900 Dundee had over 100 working jute mills and almost half of the city's population worked in jute or jute-related industries. Until the late 19th century Dundee produced almost all the jute cloth that was used anywhere in the world.

 

By 1901 his mother, Susan, is head of household at 42 West Port, Dundee. It is not known if his father has died, but he is not in the household. David, 25, is a tailor, and the other working age siblings are employed in a jute mill:  Marjory, 21, is a spinner, Susan, 17, is a weaver, John, 15, and Joan, 13, work in the mill.  Alexander, 11, and Robert, 7, are at school.  They have a 28-year old boarder.  

 

Unfortunately, the 1911 Scotland census is not available.  

 

He married Catherine (Nicholl?) on the 03rd September 1915 in Gilfillan Memorial (Congregational) Church, Dundee.

 

Robert enlisted in Dundee, joining the Highland Cyclist Division as Private 815.

 

He subsequently transferred to the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 57569.

 

He died of wounds at No.6 Stationary Hospital, Frevant, France on 08/03/1917 aged 22. The amount of the War Gratuity suggests that he served for just over a year, enlisting or being conscripted in about February 1916.

 

He now rests at St Hilaire Cemetery, Frevant. 

From its position, Frevent was a place of some importance on the lines of communication during the First World War. The 43rd Casualty Clearing Station was posted there from April to June 1916, part of the Lucknow Casualty Clearing Station in June, the 6th Stationary Hospital from June 1916 to the end of August 1918, and the 3rd Canadian, 19th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations in the summer of 1918. The great majority of the burials in the cemetery were carried out from these hospitals. St. Hilaire Cemetery Extension was used from March to August 1918 and after the Armistice, one grave of 1915 was brought in from Dennebroeucq. 

During the Second World War, the greater part of Frevent was destroyed by bombing. An aerial torpedo fell in the cemetery, which is near the railway line, damaging some of the graves, but the Commonwealth plot was not affected. 

The CEMETERY now contains 210 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 12 Second World War burials, all dating from late May - early June 1940 and the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force ahead of the German advance. 

The EXTENSION contains 304 First World War burials.

His loved ones placed notices in the Dundee People’s Journal on 17th March 1917:

 

• Inserted by his mother, brothers, and sisters.”

 

• Inserted by his sorrowing wife.”

• Inserted by B. Nicholl.”

 

Sadly, Robert’s Victory and British War Medals were returned (which usually happened in cases where the next of kin could not be traced).

 

His widow Catherine received his Army effects and a War Gratuity of £5-10s, and a pension of 13/9d a week.