Grenadier Guards, Service No. 20187
Son of Miller Houston and Nancy Reilly
Story
Robert was born in Limavady, Londonderry, Northern Ireland on 8th March 1895. After Robert’s sister, Maggie Jane Houston (who was a munitions worker at Barnbow) was born in 1899, the family moved from Northern Ireland to Swillington, and then to 23 Helena Street, Kippax. Robert’s Military Medal presentation was reported on 30th August 1918:
A Kippax Hero Honoured
On Saturday the Kippax and Ledston Luck Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Comforts Fund Committee made a presentation to Corpl. R. Houston of the Grenadier Guards, who had been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in the field. A good company assembled at the United Methodist Chapel, Kindly lent by the trustees and under the chairmanship of Mr. George Prince a capital concert was given by the Castleford Lyric Concert Party. Miss N. Davies was the accompanist, Messrs. W. Coe and J. Newbold, Mrs Pyecroft and Miss J. Davies rendered songs, duets and party songs in an efficient manner; and Mr. H. Watson gave a good rendering of ‘The Trumpeter’. Miss J. Davies also gave two violin solos, ‘Faust’ and ‘William Tell’, for both of which she was encored. Mr. Riley gave an entertaining exhibition as illusionist. During the interval Miss E.M. Garforth, Quartermaster at Swillington Hospital, made a presentation of a gold watch, suitably inscribed, to Corpl. R. Houston, whose home is at Helena Street, Kippax, and said she felt it a great honour to do so. She sincerely hoped he would be spared to come back from the war to wear it. Corporal Houston thanked the committee for their kindness, and said he had done no more than others; he had but done his duty. A vote of thanks to the Chairman and concert party (who had given their services) and the trustees of the chapel was moved by Mr. Geo. Knowles, seconded by Mr D. Adams, and heartily carried. Corporal Houston is the sixth Kippax man to be this honoured.
Robert’s mother featured in the press on 11th September 1936, with more members of her family:
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