Marble tablet dedicated to Corporal Robert Weston Jesson, killed near Arras, 1916, in St Peter's church, Church Langton.
The inscription reads -
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
CORPL ROBERT WESTON JESSON D.C.M : R.F.A
WARWICKSHIRE HOWITZER BATTERY
WHO WAS KILLED NEAR ARRAS IN THE
GREAT WAR
20TH JANUARY 1916
AGED 21 YEARS
ONE OF LORD KITCHENER'S
FIRST HUNDRED THOUSAND
CHORISTER & BELLRINGER IN THIS CHURCH
"THY WILL BE DONE""He was the son of James Jesson, a butcher, born 1859 in Gumley, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Jane Barrett Jesson (nee Neal, married in the 1st quarter of 1882 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district), born 1855 in Thorpe Langton, Leicestershire. Robert Weston, was born in the 1st quarter of 1895 in East Langton, Leicestershire, his siblings were, James Jonathan Barrett, a butcher, born 1883, Thomas, a butcher, born 1884, Evelyn Jane, born 1885, Mary Elizabeth, born 1890, William Hedley, born 1891, Alfred Neal, born 1893 and Margaret Ellen, born 1896, all his siblings were born in East Langton, in March 1901 the family home was at 35, Thorpe Langton. In April 1911 Robert was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at East Langton, together with his father, a butcher and grazier, his mother and siblings, Thomas a land worker, Mary, William, an assistant butcher, Alfred, a schoolboy and Margaret, also residing in the family home was Robert’s cousin, Annie Maude, born 1884 in Southampton, Hampshire.
The citation in the London Gazette dated 11th March 1916 reads:- “For conspicuous gallantry and good work in laying and maintaining telephone wires often under heavy fire.” Robert was killed in action near Arras, France and he is commemorated on a special marble memorial plaque inside St. Peter’s Church, East Langton, Leicestershire.
On Friday February 4th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – EAST LANGTON D.C.M. WINNER KILLED. Corporal Robert W. Jesson (son of Mr. and Mrs. James Jesson, East Langton), of the 1/4th South Midland Howitzer Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, was recently awarded the D.C.M. for gallant services on the field. His parents have been notified of his death. From a letter received by Mr. and Mrs. Jesson from Robert’s chum, it appears that the deceased was walking with others through an orchard on January 20th when a rifle report was heard, and he fell dead, with a bullet through the brain – evidently the work of a German sniper.
On the 31st January 1920 the Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester published a Roll of Honour, this recorded that Robert had been a pupil at the school between the years 1907 and 1911.
Place of death - Nr Arras
Burial Place - I N 19, Hebuterne Military Cemetery
Unit - Royal Field Artillery
Cause of death - KILLED IN ACTION
Burial Commemoration - Hebuterne Mil. Cem., France
Born - East Langton, Leicestershire
Enlisted - Rugby, Warwickshire
Place of Residence - Spring House, East Langton, Leicestershire, England
Memorial - CHURCH LANGTON MEM., LEICS
Memorial - ST. PETER'S CHURCH, CHURCH LANGTON, LEICS"
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