Person Page 493

Mariota Unknown¹

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Citations

1. [S1016] According to Otto Hirzell
2. [S1024] Brereton History

Joseph Bentley

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Alfred Herbert Roby, M M¹

Person Exhibits

Alfred Herbert Roby in 1939

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Military	The Battle of Albert (21–23 August 1918) was the third battle by that name fought during , following the","First Battle of Albert" and the Battle_of_Albert_(1916)","Second Battle of Albert" , with each of the series of three being fought roughly two years apart. This smaller third battle was significant in that it was the opening push that would lead to the end and involved attacks which developed into an advance, which pushed the enemy back along a 50-mile (80 km) front line. On 22 August, the 18th (Eastern) Division took Albert, with the British and Americans advancing. The following day, the Australian 1st Division which was advancing north-east from Proyart, attacked German fortifications around Chuignes and succeeded in capturing the town. On 29 August, during the Second Battle of Bapaume, the town of Bapaume fell into New Zealand hands. This resulted in an advance which crossed the Somme River on 31 August and broke the German lines during the Battle of Mont St. Quentin. The Westheer German armies on the Western Front was pushed back to the Hindenburg Line from which they had launched their spring offensive.
Medical	Records of Liverpool Grain Storage and Transit Company Limited - 1883-1983 The firm was started in 1883 and had just one installation at Alexandra Dock. In its prime it had four, with facilities at Birkenhead, Brunswick and Coburg Docks. The firm went into receivership in 1990. Various records have survived including 22 minute books and loose records that cover most of the years between 1883 and 1972. A large quantity of technical drawings (B/LGST/4) are also included, but these still await sorting. For further details contact The Archives Centre for a copy of the catalogue. Sections B/LGST/1-3 are stored offsite and will be recalled upon request. Please contact The Archives Centre with details of the items you wish to consult and to arrange a visit to the Searchroom. National Museums Liverpool. B/LGST, Document, 1883-1983, Long Term Loan, Available at the Archives Centre MMM (by appointment). Medical Reports from Military Service Medical History - Enlistment ROBY, Alfred Herbert Birthplace Prescot, Lancashire Examined 20 September 1915 at Liverpool Declared Age 38 Years 180 days Height 5 feet Chest 35” Expansion 1” Vision R.E. V= Good Enlisted 20 september 1915 at Liverpool 266253 Injury Award Sheet - First Award ROBY Alfred Herbert. Regiment Som. L. I. (Somerset Light Infantry).Date of Discharge 22 March 2019 Cause of Discharge : Disembodied.Entered on Conditional List 22 Feb 1920. Married 4 Feb 1905. Irene 5.1.15 and Alfred 25.8.1906. Award 1. Chondroma Rib - Chest & 3. Hernia retained by truss 20% 5/6 from 26 Aug 1919 to 2nd Sep 1919 then 8/- for 60 weeks from 3rd Sept 1919. Dated 12 Feb 1920 Verify Wife Pension Expires 26 October 1920. Medical Report on Soldier Boarded Prior to Discharge or Transfer to Class W., W. (T), P., or P. (T), of the Reserve. ROBY Alfred Herbert, 266253, Somerset I. Pte. Age last birthday 46. Posted for duty 20.9.15.at Weston Camp, Blackpool which was an important training town for the north west during the First World War with a reported 14,000 troops billeted there in November 1914. Practice trenches were constructed in the town to train troops for war. Arthritis R Knee. Original Disability during August 1916 at Blackpool during training. Knee strained and sent to Osestry Hospital. Later in 1918, he strained his chest muscles and fractured a rib during training. A small R. hernia was present on enlistment. Evidently, examination confirmes the synovial membrane which lines and lubricates the knee joint, was inflamed. Swelling or stiffness are symptoms that may follow another injury, arthritis, or gout. In September 1916 he was admitted to Hospital with Synivitis and spent 30n days in hospital. and at the end the doctors advised “IN addition to synovitis there is chronic osteoarthritis of the right knee. Renewal or Revision of Award Opinion of Medical Branch 16 September 1920 - Case to be sub,itted to Settlements Disabilities : Synovitis, L Rib, Hernia. No gounds for further award. Case to be submitted to Entitlement Board, Entitlment Hernia. Decision Award. Hernia. 1% P. £25-0-0 + £7-10-0 = £32-10–0. Pension Expires Final Gratuity. Opinion of the Medical Board (a) Synovita knee (b) strained chest (c) hernia. He complains of a strained knee, - no enlarge. (b) left costal arch enlargement, sixe of x: not tender (c) small R inguinal hernia (bubonocule) x retained by truss. Total disability is 20%. Was an operation advised ? NO. Did the Board recommend dicharge as phusically unfit for further War Service? NO. Did the Board oplace him in Grade IV? NO. In what other Grade did the Board place him? III Do the Board find that the soldier has suffered and impairment in health since his entry into the Service? YES. Is treatment recommended? YES Present truss is worn out. Operation not advised. It looks to me that the disabilities were not attributed to service during the War 1914-1918. The Board decides that the specific condition that caused these disabilities were in fact “constitutional” and were not in a “final stationary condition” a.d were likely to last for twelve months.
Education	Alfred Herbert Roby, M M, was educated at a school in Prescot.
Occupation	He was a grain checker in 1918 - maybe at Coburg Dock.
Occupation	He was a corn porter at a grain warehouse in 1911 - living at Whitcroft Road in Fairfield.
Occupation	He was a collector in 1905 - and in 1906 as an insurance agent.
Occupation	He was a grain porter at Coburg Dock in 1921 - See Notes to the 1921 Census.
Occupation	He was a bamboo worker in 1901 at 281 Upper Parliament Street in Liverpool.
Occupation	He was a pawn broker’s apprentice at 81 Old Chester Road in Birkenhead in 1891.
Honor	He; awarded the Military Medal - an award to personnel of the British Army and other arms of the armed forces, and to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land.2
Note	Alfred was baptised in a Church of England in Prescot, St. Mary’s. His wife-to-be, Frances English, who was baptised in a RC church. So, perhaps it is not surprising for them to get married in a Registry Office.
Birth	He was born on 23 February 1873 in Carr Lane, Knowsley, Liverpool, England, He was a twin - his sister Alice Jane Roby was his twin sister.3,4
Christening	Alfred Herbert was christened on 16 April 1873 in St. Mary-the-Virgin, Prescot.5
Education	He was educated in I think a local school in Prescot, Lancashire, in 1881.
	His father John Roby died on 19 February 1895 in 72 Leopold Road, Liverpool, England.
Residence	Alfred Herbert Roby, M M, resided in 125 Needham Rd, West Derby, in 1905.
Marriage	Alfred Herbert Roby, M M, and Frances English were married on 4 February 1905 in The Registry Office, West Derby, (Reference :- REG_WD/216/132) Reference 8b 727 Liverpool. I wonder whether the marriege took place in the Registry Office because Alfred was a Protestant and Frances a Roman Catholic. I have no knowledge of the reason ... but I note that young Alfred was born 18 months later, so we can rule that one out.
Misc	Alfred Herbert Roby aged 31 is described as a Collector. They were married at the West Derby Registry Office. In 1938, he was living at 18 Elm Vale - I know this house well. I have been there many times. It's on a corner. There is a back alley. Dark staircase, cold stone scully. Front parlour were my grand dad lay dead in his coffin in 1955. I was 10 years old, my Mum took me in there and said "Here's your grandfather, isn't he beautiful". I said "No, he's dead". Earlier, in 1938 he is described as "a weighman". As a reference on leaving military service, the Certificate reads "This soldier has done exceptionally good work as a stretcher bearer in the line : unfailing in his duty, he has borne hardships and fatigues that would have done credit to a much younger man. Honest, sober, trustworthy, industrious, clean, intelligent." Title Pte Alfred Herbert Roby (medals; letter; certificate) Who? Private Alfred Herbert Roby, 266253, Somerset Light Infantry. Item(s) Military Medal, British War and Victory Medals, letter from C.O. regarding the award of the Military Medal, and Certificate of Employment During the War. Story Alfred Herbert Roby, born in February 1873 in Knowsley, Lancashire, served with the 11th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry late on in the First World War from May 1918 until March 1919. Having originally enlisted in September, 1915, he was primarily employed as a stretcher bearer with the 11th Somerset Light Infantry and was awarded the Military Medal in March 1919 for his service in this role. When? May - November 1918 Where? The Somme region of France, including the Battle of Albert in August 1918. Contributor Denis Roby Collection Day Stourport-on-Severn Library, 10th November, 2018. Item sets Stourport Library, Stourport-on-Severn (10/11/2018) LWF on 4 February 1905.
	His son Alfred Roby was born on 25 August 1906.
	His mother Ellen Edwardson died on 28 January 1908 in 42 West Derby Street, Liverpool, England.
	His daughter Irene Nettacress Roby was born on 5 January 1913 in Fairfield, Liverpool, England.
Milit-Beg	Alfred Herbert's military career started in 1914. Alfred was deployed in France from May 1918 to February 1919 with the 11th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Reg # 266523).
Occupation	He was in Soldier between 1914 and 1919.
Misc	See notes on 21 August 1918.
Milit-End	He was discharged from the armed forces on 23 March 1919. Private Roby - #266523 - Disembodiment - discharged from The Somerset Regiment L 9. In the military sense disembodiment usually means separation of the body of troops as in disbanding rather than the philosophical sense of separation of the soul from the body. During wars, regiments of the British Army generally raise extra battalions above the usual one or two in peacetime. The battalion is the fighting unit of infantry, commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel and consisting of 600 or more men. In WW1 many regiments had 10 or more battalions. It is easy to understand that a good deal of time was needed to reduce the army to peacetime strength. The four options mean something like this Discharge - Discharge of the individual soldier. Transfer to the Reserve - This speaks for itself. Disembodiment - Separation of the man from the battalion Demobilisation - Removal of the battalion from the active list and disbanding. However, I note that he was discharged on medical grounds, with a rupture retaine by a truss and a condition described as "chrondroma rib", 20%.6
Award	Alfred Herbert received an Award on 28 August 1919. Military Medal was awarded only to lower non commissioned ranks for bravery in battle on land. My cousin Denis Roby sourced and wrote about our grand-father's medals and war history. British War Medal and Victory Medal, Private in the 11th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. Alfred H Last name Roby Service number 266253 Rank Private Corps Somerset Light Infantry Service record Soldier Number: 266253, Rank: Private, Corps: Somerset Light Infantry Archive reference WO372/17 Archive reference description Campaign Medal Index Cards and Silver War Badge Cards Country Great Britain Image link Record set World War One British Army medal index cards Category Armed forces & conflict Subcategory First World War Collections from United Kingdom From Laft to Right:- British Allied Victory Medal, only awarded to those who entered an area of active service. Number, Rank, Name, Unit impressed on the rim. 5.7m issued. 2. British War Medal, issued to officers and men who entered a war zonei or served iverseas. 6.4m issued. 3. Military Medal. Issues to those below commissioned rank for bravery in battle on land. Recipients entitled to use pro nominals after their name as “MM”.2
Death	He died on 23 May 1955, at age 82, in 18 Elm Vale, Fairfield, Liverpool, England.7,4
Burial	Alfred Herbert's remains were buried on 26 May 1955 in West Derby Cemetery, in Liverpool, Grave 407 S7 [[Principal Role]] [[Witness Role: buried]].8
	His wife Frances English died on 15 January 1959 in Bowring Park, Liverpool, England.
User Reference Number	He; 2024; 67

Census

Label and Year	Manual
Census 1881	Alfred Herbert Roby, M M, Id #12,305 (Principal) was at home on Census night 3 April 1881 at Prescot, Lancashire; Address: 2 East View [[Witness Role: Son]] Original Documents, Source and Citations here
Census 1891	Alfred Herbert Roby, M M, Id #12,305 (Principal) was at home on Census night 1891 at 81 Old Chester Road, Tranmere, Birkenhead, Cheshire; Mary Bentley is a 52 year old lady running a pawn broking buisiness. Alfred is presumably living there. Original Documents, Source and Citations here
Census 1901	Alfred Herbert Roby, M M, Id #12,305 (Principal) was at home on Census night 1901 at Liverpool; Address: 281 Upper Parliament Street [[Witness Role: Son]] Original Documents, Source and Citations here
Census 1911	Alfred Herbert Roby, M M, Id #12,305 (Principal) was at home on Census night 1911 at Fairfield, Liverpool; Address: 38 Whitcroft Road [[Principal Role]] [[Witness Role: Head of household]] Original Documents, Source and Citations here
Census 1921	Alfred Herbert Roby, M M, Id #12,305 (Principal) was at home on Census night 19 June 1921 at Liverpool; Address: 38 Whitcroft Road, Fairfield, Liverpool East [[Principal Role]] [[Witness Role: Head of household]] Original Documents, Source and Citations here
Census 1939	Alfred Herbert Roby, M M, Id #12,305 (Principal) was at home on Census night 1939 at Huyton With Roby, Liverpool 16; Address: 112 Bowring Park Avenue Source 5994 Census 1939 Huyton With Roby, Liverpool 16 RG101 (RG101/4791C/009/27 Letter Code: NVGO), (RG101). Original Documents, Source and Citations here

Citations

1. [S280] Birth Certificate of Alfred Herbert Roby ( 1873 )
2. [S1701] Medals - Alfred Herbert Roby
3. [S1700] Birth Certificate Alfred Herbert Roby
4. [S1459] GRO Online Digitised (DR) Deaths, Liverpool North, Lancashire, England. Apr-Jun 1955. ROBY, Alfred Herbert. 10D/326. https://www.gro.gov.uk/ : accessed 22 Feb 2025.
5. [S1456] Baptisms (PR) England
6. [S1702] British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920
7. [S195] Letter from Liverpool Record Office dated 28 July 1989 Interment Orders 9350 ---- Feb 22 1895 John Roby 61 Years Watchmaker 72 Leopold Road Purchaser Mrs. Ellen Roby, Widow, same address 22370 ----- March 26 1908 Fred Foster Roby 33 Years Barman 11 Jubilee drive 27932 ----- Feb 1 1908 Ellen Roby 72 Years 42 West Derby Street 69630 ----- May 26 1955 Alfred Herbert Roby 82 Years 18 Elm Vale
8. [S2] Letter

William John Benyon

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Ann Townlow

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Census

Sir William Bostock

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Anne Unknown¹

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Citations

1. [S1016] According to Otto Hirzell

James Tubbritt

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