Bland, Robert | Universities at War

Personal details

Badges and Insignia -Bedfordshire Regiment. Image kindly provided by Dormskirk and available at commons.wikimedia.org 45852818.

Name on Memorial:

Bland, R.

Forename(s):

Robert

Surname:

Bland

Date of Death:

Monday, March 25, 1918

University life

College:

Armstrong College, Newcastle upon Tyne

Staff or Student:

Student

Military Service

The information displayed here is at the time of death.

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Service:

Army

Unit:

Bedfordshire Regiment, 4th Battalion

Prisoner of War:

Military Training:

Officers’ Training Corps

Theatre of War:

France and Flanders

Biography

Robert was enlisted initially into the Bedford Regiment, 8th Battalion, and served in France between 1916 and 1918. When this Battalion disbanded in February 1918, he was enlisted into the 4th Battalion.

On 25th March 1918 during the failed German Spring Offensive (or Operation Michael) in the Somme region of Northern France, Robert's Battalion advanced on High Wood and formed a defensive flank. When all ammunition had been expended, and fighting to the last, they retired to Thiepval and took up a position on the ridge.

Robert was wounded and is believed to have later died of those wounds.

Addresses before and during the war

Memorials

Additional images

Research information

Sources:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The War Graves Photographic Project.

Newcastle University Archives (The University of Durham Roll of Service 1914 – 1919. Durham University Gazette, Vol II, 1912-1929).

4th Battalion 1918 War Diary (http://www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/4thbn/4thbtn1918diary.html).

Researched by:

Sophie Anderton (Newcastle University)

Ian Johnson (Newcastle University).