Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Robert Deacon, a framework knitter, born on the 22nd June 1862 in Fleckney, Leicestershire (son of Richard Deacon, 1823 and Sarah Swingler, 1827-1899) and his wife Mary Ann Deacon (nee Grant, married on the 18th December 1882 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney), born in the April quarter of 1863 in Fleckney and baptised as Mary Anne on the 24th May 1863 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney (daughter of Henry Grant, 1828 & Hannah Moore, nee Grant, 1827). Robert was a schoolboy, born in the July quarter of 1891 and baptised on the 3rd March 1893 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, his siblings were, Hannah, a hosiery trade seamer, born in the July quarter of 1883, Mary Elizabeth, a hosiery trade linker, born on the 29th July 1884 and baptised on the 1st March 1885 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, Thomas Arthur, a hosiery trade assistant, born in the January quarter of 1887 and baptised on the 2nd October 1887 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, William Henry, a schoolboy, born on the 21st August 1889 and baptised on the 8th November 1889 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, , Walter, a schoolboy, born in the April quarter of 1894 and baptised on the 13th May 1894 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, John Harold, a schoolboy, born in the October quarter of 1896 in Fleckney and baptised on the 24th April 1898 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney Lawrence Victor, a schoolboy, born on the 31st January 1898 and baptised on the 24th April 1898 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney and Albert Edward, born on the 26th January 1901 and baptised on the 7th April 1901 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, all his siblings were born in Fleckney, in March 1901 the family home was at Gladstone Cottage, Arnesby Road, Fleckney, Leicestershire.
In April 1911 Robert, was employed as a hosiery framework knitter and was residing in the family home at Main Street, Fleckney, together with his father, a hosiery framework knitter, his mother and siblings, Mary, a hosiery trade linker, William a hosiery trade warehouseman, Walter, a hosiery trade winder, John, a hosiery trade winder, Albert, a schoolboy and Lilian May, a schoolgirl, born on the 22nd January 1905 in Fleckney and baptised on the 19th March 1905 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney.
Robert enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 3rd September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 11661. He gave his place of birth as Fleckney, Leicestershire and age as 23 years 8 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hosiery.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 2nd September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Fleckney, Leicestershire, declared age as 23 years 8 months, trade or occupation as hosiery, that he was [not recorded]-feet [not recorded] inches in height, weighed [not recorded] lbs, had a chest measurement of between [not recorded] and [not recorded] inches, his physical development was described as good, his vision was described as R.E.-V=6. L.E.-V=6. Enlisted at Leicester on the 2nd September 1914. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 11661.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 23 years 8 months, height 5-feet 7 inches weight 134 lbs, chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded]. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 2nd September 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Robert Deacon, mother Mary Ann Deacon, Arnesby Road, Fleckney, Leicestershire.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 3/9/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 3/9/14.
Posted. To 8th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 24/9/14.
Embarked. 29/7/15.
Admitted. To 48th Field Ambulance, I.C.T. left hand. In the Field. 12/3/16.
Transferred. To 11th Stationary Hospital, Rouen. 15/3/16.
Discharged. From 11th Stationary Hospital, Rouen. 23/4/16.
Admitted. To Convalescent Depot, Rouen. 24/4/16.
Joined. 5th Infantry Brigade Depot. In the Field. 25/4/16.
Transferred. To 37th Infantry Brigade Depot, Class “A.” Etaples. 27/4/16.
Admitted. To 20th General Hospital, Camiers. 28/4/16.
Transferred. To 37th Infantry Brigade Depot, Etaples. 8/5/15.
Discharged. To Reinforcements, Etaples. 8/5/16.
Proceeded. To Join 8th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 19/5/16.
Rejoined. 8th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 20/5/16.
Killed in action. In the Field. 25/9/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 3/9/14 – 28/7/15. 329 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 25/9/16. 1 year 59 days.
Total Service. 2 years 23 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 24-30 Sep-16 - East of TRONES WOOD. About 7.00pm on the 24th the Battalion marched up to take a position prior to making an attack the next day. Before they reached the position the enemy heavily shelled our men, several casualties resulting. At 12.30pm on the 25th the first attack was launched, the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT being in a position on the right of FLERS. The objective was the first German line, a distance of about 1000 yards from the trench from which the Battalion launched the attack. The attack was made in waves, each platoon forming a wave, and 2 waves going over at a time. The attack was launched with splendid heroism, the first objective was gained in about ¾ of an hour, the men then stopped a short time to consolidate their gain, and to allow the artillery barrage to lift. They then pressed on to their second objective which was the village of GUEDECOURT. By the time they reached the village their ranks were sadly thinner, by the tremendous artillery barrage the enemy put up, and by machine guns which wrought terrible havoc. Never the less with dauntless gallantry they pressed on reaching the village and engaging the enemy in hand-to-hand fighting, which took place all the night. In the morning the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT relieved the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT in the village, and the enemy were finally driven out. The 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were brought back to the second line of trenches, where they were relieved by the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT on the 28th. They then went back to SWISS TRENCH where they remained until relieved on the night of October 1st.
On the 30th April 1919 Robert’s, mother, Mary Ann, of Gladstone Cottages, Arnesby Road, Fleckney, Leicestershire was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of five shillings, commensurate on the 6th November 1918.
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