Sergeant Robert Ernest Venn Hampshire Regiment and Royal Engineers
The Man Robert Ernest Venn was born on Monday 29th August 1892 at 58 Lydford Road, St Peter’s Park, Paddington, London, son of William James a Railway Telegraph Clerk and Kate Maria. He was Baptised in St John the Baptist Church, Bridgewater, Somerset and had one sister Edith Alice born in 1896 - 1931.
Robert attended private preparatory school in 1900 and the 1901 census shows him aged eight living with his Grandparents, Robert, a Permanent Way Inspector and Caroline with nieces Hannah Lee and Selina Parsons at 101 Wellington Road, Bridgewater. On 19th January 1902, aged nine he was admitted to Dr Morgan’s Endowed School in Mount Street, Bridgewater as a day student. He remained here until 17th December 1908 when he left aged 16 becoming a Retail Assistant.
The 1911 census shows Robert as an Apprentice in Hosiery and living back with his parents and sister at 71 Lynton Avenue, Ealing.
William enlisted into the 1/4th Hampshire Regiment Territorial Force in August 1914 the unit having been formed the same month at Winchester as part of Hampshire Brigade in Wessex Division. He enlisted as a Private with service number 4-2247, later changed to 200375.
On 9th October 1914 the 1/4th sailed for India, landing Karachi on 11th November and attached to the 4th (Rawalpindi) Brigade in 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division in January 1915.
On 18th March 1915 Robert and his unit landed at Basra, his medal index card confirming this date, with 33rd Indian Brigade and remained in Mesopotamia and Persia for the rest of the war. Battalion HQ and one Company were captured at Kut-el-Amara on 29 April 1916. The remainder formed a Composite Bn with the 1/5th Bn, the Buffs, and – attached to 35th Indian Brigade – transferred to 14th Indian Division. November 1916, transferred to 36th Indian Brigade.
Robert attended private preparatory school in 1900 and the 1901 census shows him aged eight living with his Grandparents, Robert, a Permanent Way Inspector and Caroline with nieces Hannah Lee and Selina Parsons at 101 Wellington Road, Bridgewater. On 19th January 1902, aged nine he was admitted to Dr Morgan’s Endowed School in Mount Street, Bridgewater as a day student. He remained here until 17th December 1908 when he left aged 16 becoming a Retail Assistant.
The 1911 census shows Robert as an Apprentice in Hosiery and living back with his parents and sister at 71 Lynton Avenue, Ealing.
William enlisted into the 1/4th Hampshire Regiment Territorial Force in August 1914 the unit having been formed the same month at Winchester as part of Hampshire Brigade in Wessex Division. He enlisted as a Private with service number 4-2247, later changed to 200375.
On 9th October 1914 the 1/4th sailed for India, landing Karachi on 11th November and attached to the 4th (Rawalpindi) Brigade in 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division in January 1915.
On 18th March 1915 Robert and his unit landed at Basra, his medal index card confirming this date, with 33rd Indian Brigade and remained in Mesopotamia and Persia for the rest of the war. Battalion HQ and one Company were captured at Kut-el-Amara on 29 April 1916. The remainder formed a Composite Bn with the 1/5th Bn, the Buffs, and – attached to 35th Indian Brigade – transferred to 14th Indian Division. November 1916, transferred to 36th Indian Brigade.
On 2nd January 1918 the 1/4th entered Persia with Lt Col Matthews’ Column. C Company occupied Krasnodovsk on 26th August and pushed on to Merv; D Company occupied Resht and Enzeli. A small detachment under Lt Fisher occupied Baku between 4th August and 15th September.
In November Battalion HQ was at Zinjan. In June 1919 two Companies were attached to Lt Col Matthews’ Motor Mobile Column and fought at Resht in August 1919. Robert was based at Pashan Camp, Kirkee in India following the war in No 6 Reserve Battalion. Indian Army Lists 1919 show there eight units designated as 'Reserve Battalion (India)'. The officers listed with each of these battalions come from many different regiments. There is no explanation as to what these battalions were, but seems they were ad hoc units formed in India and had no regimental identity.
For his service during the war, Robert was awarded the 1915-15 Star, 1914-18 British War Medal and Victory Medal and remained in the Territorial Force later Territorial Army following the war and still as a Private.
During the second quarter of 1924 aged 31 Robert married Lily Constance Robins in Bridgewater and they lived in Pershore, Worcestershire, he now working as a Dairyman on High Street. They had seven children, Joyce Constance (19th April 1925 – 4th November 2014), Kathleen Barbara (31st December 1927 - 1988), William A J (1930–1931), Elizabeth I (1931- ) Robin James (27th May 1938–21st December 2016), Derrick E 13th December 1934-2022 and Jennifer R (1939-40).
In November Battalion HQ was at Zinjan. In June 1919 two Companies were attached to Lt Col Matthews’ Motor Mobile Column and fought at Resht in August 1919. Robert was based at Pashan Camp, Kirkee in India following the war in No 6 Reserve Battalion. Indian Army Lists 1919 show there eight units designated as 'Reserve Battalion (India)'. The officers listed with each of these battalions come from many different regiments. There is no explanation as to what these battalions were, but seems they were ad hoc units formed in India and had no regimental identity.
For his service during the war, Robert was awarded the 1915-15 Star, 1914-18 British War Medal and Victory Medal and remained in the Territorial Force later Territorial Army following the war and still as a Private.
During the second quarter of 1924 aged 31 Robert married Lily Constance Robins in Bridgewater and they lived in Pershore, Worcestershire, he now working as a Dairyman on High Street. They had seven children, Joyce Constance (19th April 1925 – 4th November 2014), Kathleen Barbara (31st December 1927 - 1988), William A J (1930–1931), Elizabeth I (1931- ) Robin James (27th May 1938–21st December 2016), Derrick E 13th December 1934-2022 and Jennifer R (1939-40).
He continued serving in the TA and later transferred to the Somerset Yeomanry with another service number of 409695 and in Army Order 97, of May 1936 was awarded his Territorial Efficiency Medal.
Robert was transferred again into the Royal Engineers and promoted to Sergeant. Before the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September, he was once again embodied and called up for service and therefore not shown on the 1939 Register. Although the family were now living at 9 Greenhill Avenue, Bristol
Robert saw ‘home service’ throughout World War II being awarded the Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and in Army Order 183 of September 1944 the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’.
Nothing is known of Robert’s later life except that he passed away on 4th November 1963 aged 71. He was buried in St Augustine’s Churchyard, Locking, Weston Super Mare. Constance lived another 13 years and died on 21st October 1977 aged 81 being buried alongside Robert.
Robert was transferred again into the Royal Engineers and promoted to Sergeant. Before the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September, he was once again embodied and called up for service and therefore not shown on the 1939 Register. Although the family were now living at 9 Greenhill Avenue, Bristol
Robert saw ‘home service’ throughout World War II being awarded the Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and in Army Order 183 of September 1944 the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’.
Nothing is known of Robert’s later life except that he passed away on 4th November 1963 aged 71. He was buried in St Augustine’s Churchyard, Locking, Weston Super Mare. Constance lived another 13 years and died on 21st October 1977 aged 81 being buried alongside Robert.
Robert Venn's World War I Medal Index Card and reverse
The Story The group of medals awarded to Robert Ernest Venn were bought from Philip Burman at the OMRS Convention in London on 24th September 1994 and at the same time as the corresponding group to Charles Tanner.
They were of interest because of the two Efficiency Medals, and the identical ribbon being worn twice within the same group. Latterly fitting comfortably within a theme of double long service awards in this collection.
Sadly, at the time, no further information could be located due to several people with the same name on Ancestry.UK.
A further search some years later did reveal his medal index card and first name, however, following a further cursory search on 28th August 2023 – 29 years after their acquisition Ancestry.UK revealed a lot more information, including his middle name and several family trees that had already been completed.
One such tree had been completed by Robert’s family, who kindly provided a much sought after photograph of Robert, in Royal Engineers uniform and wearing his medal ribbons. Although not a particularly clear picture, it at least put a face to this man behind his medals.
It was therefore possible to build up a much better biography and one fitting for a soldier who had served during the two World Wars and once again proves the adage that ‘Research Never Ends’.
They were of interest because of the two Efficiency Medals, and the identical ribbon being worn twice within the same group. Latterly fitting comfortably within a theme of double long service awards in this collection.
Sadly, at the time, no further information could be located due to several people with the same name on Ancestry.UK.
A further search some years later did reveal his medal index card and first name, however, following a further cursory search on 28th August 2023 – 29 years after their acquisition Ancestry.UK revealed a lot more information, including his middle name and several family trees that had already been completed.
One such tree had been completed by Robert’s family, who kindly provided a much sought after photograph of Robert, in Royal Engineers uniform and wearing his medal ribbons. Although not a particularly clear picture, it at least put a face to this man behind his medals.
It was therefore possible to build up a much better biography and one fitting for a soldier who had served during the two World Wars and once again proves the adage that ‘Research Never Ends’.
Medal Details:
- 1914-15 Star: 4-2247 PTR. R.E.VENN. HAMPS.R.
- 1914-18 British War Medal: 2247 PTE. R.E.VENN. HAMPS.R.
- Victory Medal: 2247 PTE. R.E.VENN. HAMPS R.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Territorial Efficiency Medal: 200375 PTE. R.E.VENN. HAMPS.R.
- Efficiency Medal: 409695 SJT. R.E.VENN. R.E.
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This page last updated 16 Sep 23
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