Simmes Robert William, Private. 20808.

2nd Battalion Royal Scots.
Shot at dawn 19 May 1918, aged 28.

Robert’s gravestone at Chocques Military Cemetery, France. © 2015 Clive Gilbert

Robert William Sims was born at Haltwhistle, northumberland in 1890 (GRO reference: Jun 1890 Haltwhistle 10b 347), to sixteen year old Amy Simes. Note: Census, BMD, CWGC, medal, and service records variously spell the family name Sims, Simes, Simms and Simmes.

The 1891 census shows 1 year old Robert living with his widowed grandmother Amy Sims at Bridge Street, Haltwhistle, northumberland. Also living there were his grandmother’s son, 24 year old George, and daughter, 13 year old Hannah.

In 1895 Robert’s mother Amy, married George Routledge. The GRO marriage record spells Amy’s surname as Sims, and not as her birth was registered, Simes.

The 1901 census records 11 year old RobertSims as the son of 38 year old George Routledge, a general labourer. Also recorded was Robert’s mother, 27 year old Amy, and half brothers James aged five and John George aged three, and two year old Elizabeth R Sims, noted as a boarder. The family address was Fenton, Brampton, north Cumberland.

In 1911 Robert’s family was living at Temon Low Row, Thirwall, northumberland. Robert’s father George was a 47 year old Stone Breaker at Whinstone quarry. His mother stated that she had been married for 15 years, that the marriage had produced six children and that five were still living. The children were James aged 15, John aged 13, Amy Mary aged nine, Edwina aged six and Amy aged four, all presumably Robert’s half siblings. Robert aged 21, working as a store man in a coal mine, was a boarder with George Edward Connor living at 5 Rock Terrace, Sleetburn, Durham. Also living there was 60 year old Sarah Jane Swift described as the mother-in-law of the head of the family, George Edward Connor. Robert’s service papers show that a George Edward O’Connor was his uncle and next-of-kin and that later Mrs S J Swift, grandmother, became his next-of-kin.

Robert attested on 27 February 1915 into the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots, at Glencorse, Scotland. He gave his age as 25 years 5 months, his occupation as miner (coal), and his address as 5 Rock Terrace, New Brancepeth, Co Durham. He stated that he was unmarried and had previously served with the Yorkshire Light Infantry. He made no allotment of pay and claimed no separation allowance. Robert was 5 feet 5 inches tall and had a chest measurement of 37¼ inches with an expansion of 2 inches. His stated next-of-kin was his uncle George Edward O’Connor of 5 Rock Terrace, Durham.

Robert went to France on 19 May 1915. The following information is taken from Robert’s service record:

Robert was held awaiting trial from 10 December 1917 and was tried by F.G.C.M. (Field General Court Marshall) on 30 February 1918. He was charged as follows:

1. When on Active Service “desertion”. Section 12(1) A.A.
2. When on active service “being in arrest escaping”. Section 22 A.A.
3. When on active service “desertion”. Section 12 (1) A.A.
4. When on active service “striking his superior officer being in the execution of his office”. Section 9 (1) A.A.

He was found guilty of all the charges described and was sentenced to death. The sentence was confirmed by C-in-C on 16 May 1918, and the sentence of death was carried out by shooting at 4.18am on the 19th May 1918.

Robert was buried in grave III. A. 19 in Chocques Military Cemetery, France.

Even though Robert had been awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War medal and the Victory medal, these were forfeited because of his desertion.

Robert is remembered on the Scottish War Memorials Project.

On 8 November 2006 a mass pardon was granted to the 306 British Empire soldiers executed for military offences.

Robert’s Memorial plaque at the Lochnagar Crater. © 2015 Clive Gilbert