Robert De Glanville

Birth, Marriage and Death information

     Robert De Glanville was born on 18 October 1896 at Prome, Burma; Rangoon recorded in 1911 census.
     He died on 25 September 1915 at France (when age calculated as 18); commemorated:
Name: DE GLANVILLE, ROBERT
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders
Unit Text: 6th Bn.
Date of Death: 25/09/1915
Service No: S/13036
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 119 to 124.
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

Robert de Glanville (1896-1915) lied about his age when he enlisted.
Robert was born in Burma, son of an Irish father and Burmese mother; they had married in Burma in 1896. Robert was one of three children born to them. His father was a barrister who became President of the Burmese Legislative Council.
Robert was a real asset to the school as he was an excellent cricketer and he was in the rugby team too. He was a House Prefect and a keen member of the Debating Society, he opposed two motions one of which probably reflects his experience ‘that constant travelling narrows a man’s intellect’, he also opposed the motion ‘that modern warfare does not pay the victor’. His all round sports ability meant that he was awarded the Senior Challenge Cup in 1913.
After leaving Carlisle Grammar School Robert went to Glasgow University to study Engineering; however he was there for only a short time as he signed up for active service on 8 September 1914. Like many other recruits Robert lied about his age when he signed up to the 6th Battalion Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, adding two years to his age, saying he was 19 years and 11 months rather than his true age, 17 years and 11 months. He was 5’ 6 ½” tall and weighed 133lbs, with a dark complexion, dark hair and brown eyes.
Robert died at Loos; unusually there is an account of his death written by a Private David D Munro, who lay beside him on the battlefield for the last hour of his life. He said that Robert died peacefully after being initially badly wounded in the left leg, then shot by a sniper through the shoulder blade and heart. The following day there was no trace of his body as there had been further shelling. He had been in France just 79 days.
It is good to note that Private Munro survived the war and was demobbed in 1919.
The Old Carliol (the school magazine) at first listed him as wounded, then as a POW before his death was finally confirmed. The following was in The Carliol in the spring edition of 1917.
From Private Norman Shaw, 3rd Cameron Highlanders: ‘Since I returned to this depot I have come into contact with numerous members of De Glanville’s old battalion…All speak well of him, and from what I hear his courage and pluck were splendid. These characteristics endeared him to his comrades, but not so much as another virtue of his – his unselfishness. Lance-Corporal Spence told me of how De Glanville often gave up his rations to any young boy in the trenches. That, I think, is a more meritorious deed than going out to help a wounded man. Again, I have heard of his perpetual desire to be doing something useful, and, as a result he was greatly in demand for listening posts, wiring parties and other tasks for which only volunteers are of use.’

His military record records he embarked Folkestone 9 July 1915, and was wounded in action 26.9.15 (sic). and Unofficial Report of Death reported Killed at Hill 70. on 25-9-15 the authority being 13313, Pte.D.Munro 6/Cameron Hdrs. Auth:-War Office Reference No..E/201604/1. C.2.Case (Army Form B.2090b) d/17-4-16.

Other information

     Robert De Glanville was educated after 1912 at Grammar School, Carlisle, CUL, ENG, moving there along with 4 other boys when the Ashby school headmaster moved to become headmaster in Carlisle.
     From November 1913 through May 1914 he was listed as a member of the Glasgow University B team at Rugby and 2nd XI for Cricket. He began military service on 8 September 1914 enlisting for 3 years Short Service as 13036 in the Cameron Highlanders, giving place of birth as Prome, Burmah, occupation Student of Engineering. Age 19yrs 11mths, Address 397 Great Western Road, Glasgow, having had Notice from a TD Miller Glasgow University.
His records shows he was posted 6 Cameron Highlanders as a Private from 11 Sep 1914. Reported Missing Presumed Dead 25 Sep 1915, with a total service towards engagement of 1yr 18days.
He served at Home (meaning Britain) 8 Sept 1914 to 8 July 1915 (304 days), then in France 9 July 1915 to 25 Sept 1915 (79 days).
His next of kin listed as Oscar de Glanville, Rangoon, Burmah.
His medal entitlement was Exped Force France, 1914-15 Start, British War mdel 1914-19 and Victory Medal
At enlistment his Apparent Age was 19yrs, height 5ft 6.5inches, weight 133 lbs, chest 36.5 inches with 2.5inch expansion, dark complexion, dark brown eyes and black hair, religion Church of England, no distinguishing marks
He was Confimed to Barracks for 2 day as a punishment 11 Apri l1915 for being absent from piquet duty when on active service.