Private Nicholas Robson

Private Nicholas Robson, 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action in France, aged 23, on the 28th March 1918 during the German Spring Offensive and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France.  On that day the Battalion was involved in a desperate rearguard action during which they were subjected to a very heavy artillery bombardment  followed by the Germans attacking in dense masses.The positions were held even though the enemy had broken through on both flanks. After dusk the survivors were withdrawn back to the reserve trenches. Casualties were heavy with 6 Officers and 29 Other Ranks killed and 3 Officers and 107 Other Ranks wounded. In addition 149 men were missing although doubtless some of these would have been taken prisoner.  He had been born in Wooler and was the son of Mr and Mrs N. Robson of Cheviot St. Wooler and at the time of his death by sniper fire he had been part of a Bombing Party covering the withdrawal. He was Lieutenant Tavener’s runner and had volunteered for this task. The photos show troops in makeshift defences.