King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 12th Battalion, Service no. 12/1155
Born: 1891. Died: 30th September 1961.
Story
Robert was born in Kippax, and baptised in Kippax on 25th January 1891. He was the son of John Charlston and Esther Cox, who had just moved to School Lane, Kippax. John was from Selby and Esther from Docking, Norfolk. Robert and his younger brother Henry got into a spot of bother in 1913 along with Thomas Smith, after the three of them were caught travelling on the North Eastern Railway without tickets, and were fined half a crown at Leeds Court. Thomas Smith would be killed during the War. Robert enlisted as a Private in the 12th (Miners’) Battalion and his service began on 6th December 1915. He was posted to Egypt on 22nd December 1915, and was promoted to Corporal by the end of the War. Robert was discharged 8th February 1919, and returned to Kippax, before moving to Normanton. He married Doris Ratcliffe in Wakefield in 1932, and moved back to Kippax, where he lived at 42 East View, Robinson Lane. Robert passed away in 1961 at Ida Hospital, Cookridge, Leeds, and was buried in Kippax on 4th October 1961. He left his widow Doris £2,594 12s.
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