Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Robert Rosling, an estate foreman, born on the 14th August 1870 in Swinstead, Lincolnshire and baptised on the 14th August 1870 in St. Mary’s Church, Swinstead (son of Edward Rosling, 1834-1914 and Rebecca Ellis, 1844-1921) and his wife Emma Rosling (nee Crowson, married on the 13th April 1893 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham), born on the 15th May 1872 in Empingham, Rutland and baptised on the 9th June 1872 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham (daughter of Elijah Crowson and Lavinia Speed). Robert was born in the October quarter of 1895 in Empingham and baptised on the 9th January 1898 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham, his siblings were, Frederick Harry, born on the 28th January 1894 and baptised as Frederick Allen Rosling on the 15th March 1894 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham, Nellie, born on the 19th October 1897 and baptised on the 9th January 1898 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham and John Edward, born on the 1st February 1900, all his siblings were born in Empingham, in March 1901 the family home was at Main Street, Empingham.
In April 1911 Robert was employed as a farm boy and was residing in the family home at 2, Normanton Cottages, Empingham, together with his father, an estate carter, his mother and siblings, Frederick, a gardener’s labourer, Nellie, a school girl, John, a school boy, William Thomas, a schoolboy, born on the 19th June 1904 and baptised on the 14th August 1904 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham and Ida Lavinia, born on the 21st September 1910 and baptised on the 30th October 1910 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham, the latter two siblings were both born in Empingham.
He was before enlistment a painter by trade, and after training embarked for France about September 1915, he then embarked for Egypt and Mesopotamia, and was killed while fighting on the Tigris Bank.
Robert’s army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Leicester into the Regular Army. 14/1/15
Joined. At Leicester. 14/1/15.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 14/1/15.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 16770.
Posted. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in France. 8/10/15.
Embarked. From Marseilles. 10/11/15.
Disembarked. At Alexandria. 17/11/15.
Embarked. From Port Suez. 23/11/15.
Disembarked. At Basra. 8/12/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 6-7/1/16.
Body not recovered. Commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.
Awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, Robert nominated his mother, Annie Rosling as his sole legatee.
The War Diary records: 6 Jan-16 – Right Bank Column Operation Orders for 6th issued. Extracts from Right Bank Column Operation Orders and Battalion Orders. First day of battle of SHAIKH SA’AD. March was to have been resumed at 8.00am with intention of bivouacking that night at bend of river immediately up-stream from SHAIKH SA’AD but was much delayed by heavy mist. At about 10.00am march was resumed, the Battalion forming part of the Main Body, 53rd SIKHS (F.F.) leading. On nearing HIBSH, at about 12.00 noon, the enemy were reported in an entrenched position, about 2 miles South East of SHAIKH SA’AD, extending from river bank for some 1500 yards. The Battalion now deployed into line of Companies in fours, at 50 paces interval, and 200 yards in rear of 56th (F.F.) RIFLES. Battalion continued advance in this formation, and was eventually ordered to prolong this line to the left of 53rd SIKHS (F.F.) in echelon at 200 yards distance. At about 2.00pm orders were issued to attack this position and advance to the bend in the river at SHAIKH SA’AD. The attack commenced with units of the Brigade in following formation: - 56th RIFLES (F.F.) on the right, 53rd SIKHS (F.F.) in echelon 200 yards distance to the left, 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT in echelon 200 yards distance to left of 53rd SIKHS (F.F.), the 51st SIKHS (F.F.) being in reserve. The Battalion advanced in the following formation (distance from the enemy’s position now about 1500x)
The War Diary records: 7 Jan-16 - At 11.12am orders were received that the attack would shortly be renewed on both banks. In the meantime, enemy’s line was subjected to bombardment from 28th Battery ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. Orders were received to renew the attack at 2.00pm, the Battalion moving forward as soon as 53rd SIKHS were seen to leave their trenches. The 92nd PUNJABIS had now been attached to the Brigade to support the attack on the left of the Battalion. “A” and “B” Companies advanced in short sharp rushes, supported by “C” Company, “D” Company being kept close up in reserve under cover. The advance progressed in spite of very strong opposition and “D” Company was thrown in, the whole Battalion finally carrying out the assault successfully over about 300 yards. Two of the Battalion machine guns pushed along the nullah X Y towards X, greatly assisted the advance in first enfilading Turkish trench P and later distributing their fire along trench Q. The Battalion was splendidly supported throughout by one section of the 28th Battery ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY, the Forward Observation Officer advancing with his telephone immediately in rear of the Battalion. The enemy’s trenches were occupied and quickly put in a state of defence, while, from both ends of these trenches a line of entrenchments was extended for some considerable distance, the left flank being well turned back. About 80 prisoners were taken by the Battalion, and a large quantity of rifles, ammunition, equipment etc. Many dead and wounded Turks were found in the trenches. The Battalion buried 62 enemy dead on its section of trenches. Enemy sniped to some extent during the night from our left flank. The following casualties among officers occurred during this day’s operations. Officers killed Lieutenant DOWDING and Lieutenant ROYCE. Wounded Captain SUTHERLAND, 2nd Lieutenant BILLINGS, 2nd Lieutenant BELLE and 2nd Lieutenant BUCKINGHAM. Other ranks killed and wounded on operations of the 6th and 7th January totalled 303.
On Friday 11th, February 1916, The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury published the following article on page 4, under the heading. – EMPINGHAM. – KILLED IN ACTION. – It is with regret we record the death of private Robert Rosling, aged 20, of the 2nd battalion Leicestershire Regiment, and second son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rosling. The sad news has been received from the War Office as follows: - “It is my painful duty to inform you of the death of private Robert Rosling, who was killed in action in the Persian Gulf on the 6th or 7th January, and express the sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss.” A letter was enclosed saying, “The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of his Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow. (Signed KITCHENER.)” Private Rosling joined his regiment about 12 months ago, and is the first who has laid down his life for King and country who have gone from the village. Mr. and Mrs. Rosling’s eldest son is also out in the trenches. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents.
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