Nathaniel Roberts, North Staffordshire Regiment

The 8th (Service) Battalion was formed at Lichfield on 18 September 1914 as part of K2 and became part of 57th Brigade in the 19th (Western) Division. It moved to Salisbury Plain and went into billets in Bristol in December 1914. In February 1915 it moved to Weston-super-Mare before going to Tidworth in April. The Battalion landed in France on 18 July 1915. On 7 February 1918 it transferred to 56th Brigade within the same Division.Private Roberts enlisted into the Lincolnshire Regiment at Halifax on 25 April 1917, aged 18 and 277 days. He was residing at 21 Bradford Road, Huddersfield and was employed as an Engine Cleaner. He was posted to the 3rd Lincolnshire Regiment at Grimsby. On 26 August 1917 he arrived at Boulogne, France. He was transferred to the 8th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment on 9 September 1917. On 7 October 1917 he was reported as suffering a self inflicted wound by shooting himself in the left foot. He was placed under arrest at No. 50 Casualty Clearing Station, Moht-des-Cats on 13 October 1917 and subsequently tried by a Field General Court Martial on 29 October 1917. He pleaded guilty to the charge of "Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline (in wounding himself in the left foot through negligence in handling a rifle). He was given 42 days Field Punishment No.1. He was discharged from No. 8 Stationary Hospital, Calais on 27 December 1917 and proceeded to rejoin his unit, arriving back on 11 January 1918.

He took part in numerous actions after the Division moved to the Messines sector and then onto the Champagne area, where, during the Battle of the Aisne (27 May - 6 June 1918), the Battalion was involved in resisting a ferocious German attack on Bligny Hill (Montaigne de Bligny), a prominent hill dominating the area. At 3am on 6 June, The Germans opened a heavy bombardment on the British front line and then sent in an infantry attack. Two Battalions of the 19th Division, 56 Brigade, the Cheshires and North Staffordshires, were holding positions at the summit of the hill, with the Shropshire Light Infantry held in reserve, and were able to hold up the attack for some time. However, the Germans captured the nearby village of Bligny which enabled them to open small arms fire against the British Battalions. Senior officers now decided to withdraw the front line troops to the Chambrecy-Bligny road so as to reorganise and effect a counter-attack on the summit and village. The Cheshires started this attack but it could make no headway, against the heavy machine gun fire and the troops took cover along the roadside. The 4th Battalion, Shropshire Light Infantry, was now ordered into the attack but suffered very heavy casualties from shellfire as it advanced. They managed to reach the position still held by the two other Battalions in the Brigade. The remnants of both Battalions, together with men of the North Staffordshires, now charged forward with fixed bayonets and captured most of the summit. It is probable that Private Roberts was killed during this desperate period of defence and counter-attack at Montaigne de Bligny. In recognition of the bravery of the British troops, The 56th Infantry Brigade was awarded the Croix de Guerre with silver star by the French Government for Bligny, 6th June 1918.

Born at Holyhead the son of Rowland and Elizabeth Roberts of 53 Foundry Street, Holyhead. In 1911 he lived at 53 Foundry Street, Holyhead with his parents, Rowland (38) and Elizabeth (39) Roberts. His siblings included Elizabeth (13), John William (11), Sarah Jane (8) and Rowland (6) (d. 1936). A further sister, Esther, was born around 1912 (d. 2006). His father came from Llanwrst, Denbighshire and was employed as a Railway Engine Fireman (LNWR). His mother originated from Llanganhagel, Denbighshire and died in 1941, aged 69. His father died in 1920, aged 49. They had lived at 12 Newry Fawr, Holyhead.

Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, France. He has no known grave. Remembered on the family grave at Holyhead (Maeshyfryd) Burial Board Cemetery.

Note:

Field Punishment Number 1 consisted of the convicted man being shackled in irons and secured to a fixed object, often a gun wheel or similar. He could only be thus fixed for up to 2 hours in 24, and not for more than 3 days in 4, or for more than 21 days in his sentence. This punishment was often known as 'crucifixion' and due to its humiliating nature was viewed by many Tommies as unfair. It is not clear if Private Roberts actually undertook his punishment as it would appear that he returned to his unit almost immediately after being discharged from hospital - probably as a result of manpower shortages at the front.