2538 PTE. R. BARON. R.F.A.

 

Robert Baron was born in the final quarter of 1892 at School Lane, Walton Le Dale.  His father was Henry Baron (b. 1860 in Hoghton), a clogger.  His mother was Jane Heaps (b. 1852 at School Lane).  Henry and Jane were married in 1889 and they had two children: Susannah Ellen (b. 1891) and Robert.  1898 was a terrible year for the family: either late 1897 or early 1898, Henry died; Jane remarried in September that year – to Abel Culshaw (b. 1861 in Lostock Hall), but Abel died before the year was out.  Abel had a son from a previous marriage – James Culshaw, so in 1901 Jane was working in a mill as a loom minder, her two children were at school but James was living with them and working as a farm labourer.  By 1911, James had moved out and Jane, Susannah and Robert were living at 34 School Lane.  Jane was still working as a loom minder, Susannah was a weaver and Robert was a warehouseman in a corn mill.

 

Robert was probably in the Territorials with the Royal Field Artillery and enlisted with the other Briggers in May 1915.  He was given service number 2538 (my great uncle, Tom Brierley was 2539).  So Robert had only been signed up for less than a month when he died on 10 June 1915.  He was 22 years old.  Robert's death certificate shows he died of cerebrospinal fever (meningitis), and his death was certified by Dr Trimble.

 

Rank:  Private

Service Number:  2538

Date of Death:  10/06/1915

Age: 22

Regiment/Service:  Royal Field Artillery, "B" Bty. 2nd/2nd West Lancs Bde. 
Cemetery:  HIGHER WALTON (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD

Additional Information:  Son of Henry and Jane Baron, of School Lane, Bamber Bridge, Preston.