FAIREST Bob

1809 L/Sgt Bob FAIREST ‘D’ Coy 1/4th York and Lancaster Regiment.

Died of Wounds 10th May 1915.

Bob FAIREST was born at Attercliffe, Sheffield c.1891. He can be seen in the census records living with parents John and Maria FAIREST. 1901 2nd/7th York Street Darnall. 1911 98 Nidd Road Darnall.

Nidd Road c.1940

He was employed as a labourer at Brown Bailey, Attercliffe in 1901 but by 1911 was a clerk at the Sheffield Simplex Motor Company Ltd.

He would first see service in 1908 when he enlisted into the territorial battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment, the 4th Hallamshire Battalion as 586 Pte FAIREST. He would be promoted L/Cpl in 1911 and Cpl in 1912. His service would end in February 1913.

One year later on 2nd February 1914 he re-enlisted as a Private in the Hallamshire Battalion but he would soon achieve promotion to L/Cpl on 25th March 1914, Corporal 1st April 1914 and L/Sgt 5th August 1914. His given address on re-enlistment being 42 Thames Road Darnall.

Thames Road c.1960

Bob went to France on the 13th April 1915 and it is here at Fleurbaix he was mortally wounded on the 10th May 1915. The battalion war diary tells us that on that day the battalion were in trenches which were subjected to enemy artillery resulting in 1 man died of wounds and 4 men wounded.

Bob is buried in the Sailly Sur La Lys Canadian Cemetery.

His parents are buried in a family grave at the Darnall Cemetery. Bob is remembered on their headstone.