Name
Robert William Redding
23 Dec 1883
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/05/1917
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
30316
Essex Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CANADIAN CEMETERY NO.2, NEUVILLE-ST. VAAST
17. F. 24.
France
Headstone Inscription
THY WILL BE DONE
UK & Other Memorials
Christchurch Memorial, Little Heath, Potters Bar, Little Heath & Bentley Heath Memorial, Potters Bar, All Souls Chapel Book of Remembrance, Potters Bar
Pre War
Robert William Redding was born on 23 Dec 1883 (baptised at St Jude’s Bethnal Green on 20 Jan 1884) in Holloway, London to Robert William Redding, policeman, and Margaret (nee Wynn), they were living at 8, Old Bethnal Green Road.
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Robert, George Edward (born 1886), Joseph (born 1888), and Henry James (born 1890) were living at 238, Hornsey Road, Islington.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Robert (coachman domestic), George & Joseph (gardeners), Henry, Albert (born 1892), Augustus (born 1894), Percy (born 1897) and Amelia (born 1900) were living at Quakers Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar.
On the 1911 Census Robert was a general labourer, his father was a police pension and the rest of the family, Margaret, Henry (farm labourer), Albert (domestic groom), Augustus (gardener), Percy, and Ameiia were living at Frampton Road, Little Heath.
Robert married Matilda Shaw at Christ Church, Little Heath on 19 April 1914. They would have a son Leslie (born 1915).
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Robert. He enlisted at New Barnet while resident in Potters Bar, as Private 30316 in the Essex Regiment, His Service Number suggests that he was conscripted in 1916.
Following his training, probably with 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, he was posted to 2nd Battalion Essex, who had been in France since Aug 1914 as part of 4 Division. In 1917 the Division took part in the Arras Offensive and during the action of the Third Battle of the Scarpe (3-4 May 1917) Robert was killed in action on 3 May 1917 in, a part of the Arras Offensive.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £1 17s 8d was paid to his widow Matilda. Widowed Matilda married William Arlington Gelder at Christ Church, Little Heath on 21 Apr 1919.. Brother George Redding served in the Middlesex Regiment and died of wounds 23 Oct 1914.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Martin Cope
