140507 Sapper 126th Field Company Royal Engineers
Robert Chick was born in January 1895, the son of bricklayer Thomas Chick of North Petherton and Florence Louisa Ann Williams of Ash Priors, Somerset. Robert had six siblings and in 1901 they lived in 2 Catholic (probably Cranleigh) Gardens. In 1911, aged 16, Robert was working as a Grocer's errand boy, and still lived at home, now 106 Chilton Street.
Robert enlisted in the Royal Engineers in November 1915 and had served at the front for about six months. He was killed on 12 July 1916. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 8 A and 8 D, for the missing of the Somme, suggesting that his body was lost.
There seems to be some confusion about this though as on 13 September 1916 the Bridgwater Mercury reported that Sapper Robert George Chick, aged 21, Royal Engineers, died of wounds at Base Hospital. He was the son of Mr and Mrs T Chick of 106, Chilton St, Bridgwater, who have 3 more sons serving. Robert's photo was carried in the next issue, 20 December 1916. The apparently delay in reporting this seems somewhat puzzling. That his body was subsequently lost would suggest that it was hastily buried and its location forgotten.
When his mother died in 1927, Roberts name was added to her memorial, number 1105 in the Wembdon Road Cemetery memorial list, the inscription for which reads: In Loving Memory of Florence Louisa Ann Chick died December 27th 1927 aged 59 years. Also Thomas Chick beloved husband died April 29th 1928 aged 61 years. In God's keeping. Robert George Chick killed in action 1916 aged 22 years.
