Robert Lewis's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Robert Lewis Hind was born on 24 March and baptised on 26 September 1897 at St Peter's Church, Windmill Street, Macclesfield, the son of Annie and Robert William Hind, a schoolmaster of Union Road, Macclesfield.
In 1901, Robert was living at the Industrial School, Brook St, Macclesfield, with his father, who was the superintendent, his mother, the matron, and his siblings Louisa Jane (10), Marian (8), Jessie (6), Lilian Josephine (2) and an un-named baby girl, under one month old. By 1911 the family had increased to include Dorothy (10), George (8), Hildred Mary (6), John (4), Francis (2) and Edith May (11 months).
Robert was educated at Christ Church School, and afterwards worked as an engineering apprentice at Stockport.
The family later moved to 34 Beech Lane, Macclesfield.
MILITARY SERVICE
Robert made many attempts to enlist after war broke out but was refused due to being only seventeen years of age. Eventually he was accepted into the Cheshire Reserve for training and he was drafted out to France on 13 April 1915, after his eighteenth birthday.
The death of Private Hind was reported in the Macclesfield Times on 27 October 1916:
"A BOY WITH A MAN'S HEART" KILLED AFTER 18 MONTHS' HARD FIGHTING - Yesterday Mr R W Hind, 34 Beech Lane, head schoolmaster at the Macclesfield Certified Industrial School, received a wire from the War Office informing him that his eldest son, Private Robert Lewis Hind, Cheshire Regt, was killed in action in France on September 25th. About a fortnight ago Mr Hind received a letter from Lance-Corporal A Sherratt, a Macclesfield man in the same platoon, stating that Private Hind was buried by the explosion of a German shell. He assisted to dig him out, when it was found that he was badly wounded, and also helped to carry him to the dressing station, where he left him unconscious. Lance-Corporal Sherratt enclosed in his communication some photographs found in Private Hind's possession, and added, "we never heard him complain; he was always cheerful and bright under all circumstances." Another letter came from Lance-Corporal Sherratt yesterday,: "I have made inquiries about your son Robert and find that he died whilst being placed in the ambulance. I have several little things belonging to him, which I will save for you; they will be something in memory of your boy - a boy with a man's heart...
Private Hind was born in Macclesfield 19 years ago and received his education at Christ Church School. Prior to the war he was an engineering apprentice at Stockport. Immediately on the outbreak of hostilities he endeavoured several times to enlist, but was refused on account of his youth, being then only 17. Eventually, in August 1914, he entered the Cheshire Reserve, and after six months' training at Birkenhead and other places, volunteered to join two different drafts. As he was under 18, he was not accepted. When a month over 18, he volunteered again for the third draft and was allowed to go out, in April 1915. Since that date he has never had a leave... Private Hind had taken part in many big engagements, including the battles of Ypres and Hill 60. He was a machine gunner. The deceased soldier was a good athlete and was a member of the Macclesfield branch of the YMCA. His death is a severe blow to his parents and friends...
COMMEMORATION
Private Robert Hind has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel Ref. Pier and Face 3C and 4A of the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission holds casualty details for Private Robert Hind.
In Macclesfield, Private Robert Hind is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall, St Michael's Church, St Peter’s Church and Christ Church School war memorials.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Macclesfield.