Life story: Robert James Darby | Lives of the First World War

Type	Name
First Names	Robert James
Initials	RJ
Last Name	Darby
Source	9619887

Gender	Source
Male

Address	Country	Type	Date
- an Absent Voter - 54 High Street, Hunstanton, Norfolk	United Kingdom	parents address	known September 1918
54 High Street, Hunstanton, Norfolk	United Kingdom	parents address	known 31st March 1901
54 Hunstanton North, Norfolk	United Kingdom	parents address	known 2nd April 1911
8 New Council Houses, The Row, Hartest, Suffolk	United Kingdom	their own address	known 29th September 1939
School House, East Walton, Norfolk	United Kingdom	their own address	1924 - 1926
St Edmund's Terrace, Hunstanton, Norfolk	United Kingdom		known 5th April 1891

Service	Number	Unit	Section	Rank	Source
British Army	2244	Norfolk Regiment	1/5th Battalion	Corporal
British Army	203389	Norfolk Regiment	4th Reserve Battalion	Serjeant

Award	Type	Source
1914/15 Star	First World War Campaign/Service Medal
British War Medal	First World War Campaign/Service Medal
Victory Medal	First World War Campaign/Service Medal

Name	Relationship	Dates	Source
Kenneth Peter Darby	son	20th September 1925

Name	Relationship	Dates	Source
Richard James Darby	father
Ann Darby nee Hudson	mother

Name	Relationship	Dates
Florence Maud Darby	sister	27th January 1888
Walter Darby	brother	15th July 1891
Edith Rachel Darby	sister	16th May 1894
Gertrude Elizabeth Darby	sister	3rd March 1897
Alice May Darby	sister	15th May 1900
William George Darby	brother	26th March 1904

Name	Relationship	Dates	Source
Helen Ainslie	wife	1915

Date	Religion	Source
1886-01-24	Anglican - Church of Eng, Irl, Wales or other

Title	Connected by	More information
Medal Index Card
1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription	Jane31029
1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription	Jane31029
England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription	Jane31029
1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription	Jane31029
England & Wales marriages 1837-2005 Transcription	Jane31029
England & Wales deaths 1837-2007 Transcription	Jane31029
England & Wales deaths 1837-2007 Transcription	Jane31029
England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription	Jane31029
England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription	Jane31029
England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription	Jane31029
England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription	Jane31029
England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription	Jane31029
England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription	Jane31029
England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription	Jane31029
England & Wales deaths 1837-2007 Transcription	Jane31029

Reference	Connected by	More information
Britain Absent Voters List 1918 Hunstanton	Jane31029
Baptism of Robert James Darby	Jane31029
School Admission Register Robert James Darby	Jane31029
School Admission Register Sister Florence Maud	Jane31029
School Admission Register Brother Walter	Jane31029
School Admission Register Sister Edith	Jane31029
School Admission Register Sister Gertrude	Jane31029
School Admission Register Sister Alice	Jane31029
School Admission Register Brother William	Jane31029
1939 Register entry Robert Darby and Family	Jane31029
Medal Roll Index Card image	Jane31029
Medal and Award Roll 1914-15 Star	Jane31029
1924 Electoral Register School House East Walton Norfolk	Jane31029
Medal and Award Roll BWM and Victory Medal	Jane31029
British Army Service Records 1914-1920 Image	Jane31029

Title	Connected by	More information
Norfolk Regiment WW1 Cap Badge	Jane31029
1914 15 Star, Br War Medal and Victory Medal	Jane31029

ID: 1094109

Reference: WO372/5

Title: Medal Index Card

Description: Medal index cards were created by the Army Medal Office towards the end of the First World War. They record the medals that men and women who served in the First World War were entitled to claim.

UPP: GBM/MCI/1095204

Credit: © The National Archives

ID: 9619856

Name: Parish of Hunstanton, p51, No. 2083, Darby, Robert James

Title: Britain Absent Voters List 1918 Hunstanton

Description: The 1918 Absent Voters List for Hunstanton, P C of Norfolk, King's Lynn Division which shows Sergeant Robert James Darby, #203389, 4th (R) Norfolks registered to vote at 54 Village, Hunstanton. Also registered is his brother Private Walter Darby, #13919, 7th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Walter, but not Robert, is also shown as an Absent Voter in 1919, in which the house number, 54, is clearer.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=BL/ER/D26/FMP000000559/0051&parentid=BL/ER/D26/FMP000000559/0051
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Additional: Robert's name, regiment and service number match the seed record for this life story. The address and his brother Walter's name fit with family Census returns.

ID: 9619865

Reference: 1911gbc

Title: 1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: GBC/1911/RG14/11595/0137/3

Additional: His name and abode fit his 1918 Absent Voters' list entry, which links him to the seed record.

Credit: © The National Archives

ID: 9619877

Reference: 1901gbc

Title: 1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: GBC/1901/0012810356

Additional: His name fits. His abode in Hunstanton fits with his Absent Voters' list entry. His age, place of birth, parents' names and names of siblings at home on both occasions fit the family's 1911 Census return.

Credit: © General Register Office

ID: 9619887

Reference: bmd_births

Title: England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/B/1885/4/AZ/000141/124

Additional: His name fits. The Registration District and date fit his family's abode in Hunstanton and his age shown on family Census returns.

Credit: © General Register Office

ID: 9619964

Reference: 1891gbc

Title: 1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: GBC/1891/0011341475

Additional: Although his age is currently transcribed as 15 not 5 (14.3.2019) his name, his mother's name and his sister's name fit later family Census returns, as does the family's abode in Hunstanton.

Credit: © General Register Office

ID: 9619987

Reference: bmd_marriages

Title: England & Wales marriages 1837-2005 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/M/1915/2/AZ/000332/053

Additional: His name fits. His wife's Christian name fits their 1939 Register entry. Her surname fits the birth record of their son Kenneth, who is named with them on the 1939 Register.

Credit: © General Register Office

ID: 9620012

Name: St Mary's Hunstanton, p72, No 572, Darby

Title: Baptism of Robert James Darby

Description: Robert James, son of Richard James and Ann Darby of Hunstanton, baptised at St Mary's Church, Hunstanton, 24th January 1886. His father is recorded as a Carpenter.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBPRS/NORFOLK/PD_698-5/00882&parentid=GBPRS/NORFOLK/BAP/003990213
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Additional: His name fits. His parents' names, their abode in Hunstanton and his father's trade fit family Census returns.

ID: 9620031

Name: Hunstanton CofE School, Norfolk, 1889. James Darby b. 20th October 1885

Title: School Admission Register Robert James Darby

Description: Hunstanton Church of England School Admission Register entry for James Darby, born 20th October 1885 and son of Richard, who entered the school 10th March 1889 and left from Standard 6, 23rd December 1898.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record/browse?id=gbor%2fschool%2fpd_698_161%2f0038
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: His name fits, though he is called by his second Christian name. His abode and father's name fits Census returns. His date of birth is given and matches that in his 1939 Register entry.

ID: 9620042

Name: Hunstanton CofE School, Norfolk, 1891. Florence Maud Darby b. 27.1.1888

Title: School Admission Register Sister Florence Maud

Description: Hunstanton Church of England School Admission Register entry for Robert's sister Florence Maud Darby, born 27th January 1888 and daughter of Richard, who entered the school 3rd February 1891 and left from Standard 4, 1st June 1901.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbor%2fschoool%2fp3%2fgbor%2fschoool%2fp3%2f7416379
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Additional: Florence's name and age, her father's name and the family's abode in Hunstanton all fit with Census returns for Robert's sister Florence.

ID: 9620050

Name: Hunstanton CofE School, Norfolk, 1894. Walter Darby b. 15.7.1891

Title: School Admission Register Brother Walter

Description: The Admission Register for Hunstanton Church of England School, Norfolk, which records that Robert's brother Walter Darby, b. 15th July 1891 and son of Richard, entered school 23rd July 1894. He completed Standard 5 in 1903 and left school in June 1903. He was only just 3 when he started school and not quite 12 when he left.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbor%2fschool%2fpd_698_161%2f0041&parentid=gbor%2fschoool%2fp3%2fgbor%2fschoool%2fp3%2f7416438&highlights=%22%22
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Additional: His name and date of birth, his father's name and the family's abode in Hunstanton fit family Census returns for Robert's brother Walter.

ID: 9620057

Name: Hunstanton CofE School, Norfolk, 1897. Edith Rachel Darby b. 16th May 1894

Title: School Admission Register Sister Edith

Description: Hunstanton Church of England School Admission Register entry for Robert's sister Edith Rachel Darby, born 16th May 1894 and daughter of Richard, who entered the school 17th May 1897 and left from Standard 6, 31st May 1907.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbor%2fschool%2fpd_698_161%2f0043&parentid=gbor%2fschoool%2fp3%2fgbor%2fschoool%2fp3%2f7416487&highlights=%22%22
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Additional: Edith’s name and age, her father's name and her attendance at school in Hunstanton all fit with Census returns for Robert's sister Edith.

ID: 9620064

Name: Hunstanton CofE School, Norfolk, 1899. Gertrude Darby b. 3rd March 1897

Title: School Admission Register Sister Gertrude

Description: Hunstanton Church of England School Admission Register entry for Robert's sister Gertrude Darby, born 3rd March 1897 and daughter of Richard, who entered the school 1st June 1899 and left from Standard 5, 10th March 1910.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbor%2fschool%2fpd_698_161%2f0044&parentid=gbor%2fschoool%2fp3%2fgbor%2fschoool%2fp3%2f7416520&highlights=%22%22
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Additional: Gertrude’s name and age, her father's name and her attendance at school in Hunstanton all fit with Census returns for Robert's sister Gertrude.

ID: 9620068

Name: Hunstanton CofE School, Norfolk, 1903. Alice May Darby b. 15th May 1900

Title: School Admission Register Sister Alice

Description: Hunstanton Church of England School Admission Register entry for Robert's sister Alice May Darby, born 15th May 1900 and daughter of Richard, who entered the school 15th May 1903 and left from Standard 6, 8th May 1914

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbor%2fschool%2fpd_698_161%2f0047&parentid=gbor%2fschoool%2fp3%2fgbor%2fschoool%2fp3%2f7416623&highlights=%22%22
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Additional: Alice’s name and age, her father's name and her attendance at school in Hunstanton all fit with Census returns for Robert's sister Alice.

ID: 9620072

Name: Hunstanton CofE School, Norfolk, 1907. William George Darby b. 26th March 1904

Title: School Admission Register Brother William

Description: Hunstanton Church of England School Admission Register entry for Robert's brother William George Darby, born 26th March 1904 and son of Richard, who entered the school 26th March 1907. He entered Standard 4 in 1914 but no further information is recorded.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbor%2fschool%2fpd_698_161%2f0049&parentid=gbor%2fschoool%2fp3%2fgbor%2fschoool%2fp3%2f7416692&highlights=%22%22
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Additional: William’s name and age, his father's name and his attendance at school in Hunstanton all fit with the 1911 Census return for Robert's brother William.

ID: 9620105

Name: 8 New Council Houses, The Row, Hartest, Melford R.D., Suffolk, Schedule 66.1

Title: 1939 Register entry Robert Darby and Family

Description: 1939 Register entry for Robert J Darby b. 20th October 1885, a Gardener, his wife Helen b. 26th July 1892, a Trained Certificated Schoolmistress, and their son Kenneth P Darby b. 20th September 1925, at School, living at 8 New Council Houses, The Row, Hartest, Suffolk.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=TNA/R39/6670/6670I/006/10
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Additional: His name fits. His date of birth matches that given in his School Admission Register entry. His wife's Christian name fits their marriage record. Their son Kenneth's name and date of birth fit his birth record, in which his mother's maiden name is given, which fits her marriage record.

ID: 9620132

Name: Darby, Robert J, 1/5 Norf. R, #2244 and #203389

Title: Medal Roll Index Card image

Description: Medal Roll Index Card image for Corporal Acting Serjeant Robert J Darby, #2244 and #203389 1/5 Norfolk Regiment, who first served overseas in the Balkans (2b) on 9th August 1915 and was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He was disembodied on 24th April 1919.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/1262/30850_A000412-01067?pid=3846333&backurl=https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv%3D1%26dbid%3D1262%26h%3D3846333%26tid%3D%26pid%3D%26usePUB%3Dtrue%26_phsrc%3DlsC3%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=lsC3&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true
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Additional: His name and military details fit the seed record.

ID: 9620156

Name: #2244 A/Sgt (Cpl) Darby Robert James

Title: Medal and Award Roll 1914-15 Star

Description: Medal and Award Roll for the 1914-15 Star which included #2244 A/Sgt (Cpl) Robert James Darby , Norfolk Regiment. He first served overseas on 9th August 1915 (Theatre 2b) and was disembodied 24th April 1919.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/5119/41804_636897_11372-00173?pid=4851207&backurl=https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv%3D1%26dbid%3D5119%26h%3D4851207%26tid%3D%26pid%3D%26usePUB%3Dtrue%26_phsrc%3DlsC4%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=lsC4&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: His name and military dates and details fit the seed record. This record uses his first, 4 digit, service number.

ID: 9621787

Title: Norfolk Regiment WW1 Cap Badge

Description: Cap badge of the Norfolk Regiment in which Robert Darby served.

Connected by: Jane31029

ID: 9621795

Title: 1914 15 Star, Br War Medal and Victory Medal

Description: The 1914 15 Star (left) awarded to those who served in any theatre of war against Germany between 5th August 1914 and 31st December 1915, except those eligible for the 1914 Star. Those who were entitled to this medal were also entitled to the British War Medal (centre) and Allied Victory Medal (right).

Connected by: Jane31029

Additional: Robert's Medal Roll Index Card shows that he first served overseas in the Balkans with Norfolk Regt. from 9th August 1915 and was entitled to the 1914 1915 Star.

1914 15 Star, Br War Medal and Victory Medal

ID: 9621837

Name: 1924, Parish of East Walton, p14, nos 460 & 461 Darby

Title: 1924 Electoral Register School House East Walton Norfolk

Description: 1924 Electoral Register for the Parish of East Walton, Parliamentary County of Norfolk, King's Lynn Division, showing Robert James and Helen Darby registered to vote at the School House, East Walton. They are last shown at this address in 1926.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=BL/ER/D3/FMP000005150/1074_1&parentid=BL/ER/OCR/38EEC87F7ED949BB909956C4F1D591E7
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: His name fits. His wife's Christian name fits their marriage record. Living at the School House fits with his wife Helen's position as a Trained Certificated Schoolmistress as shown in the 1939 Register.

ID: 9621888

Reference: bmd_deaths

Title: England & Wales deaths 1837-2007 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/D/1967/1/AZ/000235/106

Additional: His name fits. His age fits and his inferred year of birth fits with his death in the first quarter and his birthday in the fourth Quarter of the year. This record fits with information in family trees on the Ancestry website.

Credit: © General Register Office

ID: 9622070

Reference: bmd_deaths

Title: England & Wales deaths 1837-2007 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/D/1986/11/75456470

Additional: Believed to be the Death Register entry for Robert's widow Helen. However, the record is not a perfect fit as her date of birth is here recorded 28th July 1892, whereas the 1939 Register shows it as 26th July 1892.

Credit: © General Register Office

ID: 9622077

Reference: bmd_births

Title: England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/B/1888/1/AZ/000142/055

Additional: Records the birth of Robert's sister Florence. The Registration District and date fit her entries in the family's Census returns.

ID: 9622084

Reference: bmd_births

Title: England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/B/1891/3/AZ/000141/305

Additional: Records the birth of Robert's brother Walter. The Registration District and date fit his entries in the family's Census returns.

ID: 9622092

Reference: bmd_births

Title: England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/B/1894/2/AZ/000140/299

Additional: Records the birth of Robert's sister Edith. The Registration District and date fit her entries in the family's Census returns.

ID: 9622103

Reference: bmd_births

Title: England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/B/1897/2/AZ/000142/346

Additional: Records the birth of Robert's sister Gertrude. The Registration District and date fit her entries in the family's Census returns.

ID: 9622115

Reference: bmd_births

Title: England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/B/1900/2/AZ/000148/354

Additional: Records the birth of Robert's sister Alice. The Registration District and date fit her entries in the family's Census returns.

ID: 9622132

Reference: bmd_births

Title: England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/B/1904/2/AZ/000152/132

Additional: Records the birth of Robert's brother William. The Registration District and date fit his entry in the family's 1911 Census return.

ID: 9622260

Reference: bmd_births

Title: England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/B/1925/4/AZ/000286/025

Additional: Records the birth of Robert's son Kenneth. His mother's maiden name is given, which fits his parents' Marriage record. This fits with his entry on the family's 1939 Register entry.

ID: 9622277

Reference: bmd_deaths

Title: England & Wales deaths 1837-2007 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/D/1989/11/77213528

Additional: Records the death of Robert's son Kenneth and included because it gives his full name. His date of birth is included, which fits with his 1939 Register entry.

ID: 9622514

Name: #203389 A/Sgt Darby, Robert James

Title: Medal and Award Roll BWM and Victory Medal

Description: Medal and Award Roll image for Acting Sergeant Robert James Darby, #203389 Norfolk Regiment, who had previously served #2244 in the 1/5th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. This Roll shows his entitlement to the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/5119/41629_626640_11579-00021?pid=2375665&backurl=https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv%3D1%26dbid%3D5119%26h%3D2375665%26tid%3D%26pid%3D%26usePUB%3Dtrue%26_phsrc%3DlsC42%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=lsC42&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: His name and military details fit the seed record.

ID: 9622536

Name: Part II Orders, 4th Res. Bn. Norfolk Regt, #203389 Sgt. Darby, R.J.

Title: British Army Service Records 1914-1920 Image

Description: Part II Orders for the 4th Reserve Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, No 9. Lines, Crowborough Camp re Territorial Soldiers, 3rd August 1917. The paragraph "678 Detached for Rations" notes that "The undermentioned were attached for rations to No. 9 Company R.A.M.C. Halton Camp, while in the Camp Detention Hospital, for the periods specified:- … 203389 Sgt. Darby, R.J. "A". 26.7.17 - 29.7.17"

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM/WO363-4/007403182/00105&parentid=GBM/WO363-4/SUPP/511608
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: His name fits. His regiment and service number fit the seed record. This is the Battalion shown on his 1918 Absent Voters' list entry.

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We remember Robert James Darby

We remember Robert James Darby

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We remember Robert James Darby