Robert Willson was born 4th April 1890 and this portrait was taken when he enlisted in the 18th PALS Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry. Robert was killed along with many other PALS on te first day of the Battle of the Somme on July 1sr 1916.
Date (of image) : 1914
Donor : Robin and John Willson
Location
George Willson was a successful Hartlepool timber merchant who died in 1920. He married three times and had a large family. From 1905 the family lived in Haswell House until the house was demolished in 1931.
This album is kindly donated by Robin Willson, grandson of George and his third wife Sarah. It was Sarah who preserved the family archive, passed it to her daughter in law Ann who in turn passed it to her son Robin Willson.
More detail »