Grossart, Robert Dykes

Grossart, Robert Dykes Robert Grossart was killed in February 1917 in an air accident near Beverley Aerodrome where he was based, probably for further training after he learnt to fly in December 1916. The CWGC entry for him reads as follows: Name: GROSSART Initials: R D Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps Secondary Regiment: General List Secondary Unit Text: and Age: 25 Date of Death: 09/02/1917 Additional Son of Robert Fraser Grossart and Wilhelmina Gibson information: Grossart, of Milton, Beattock, Dumfriesshire. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial North-East of Church. Reference: Cemetery: KIRKPATRICK-JUXTA PARISH CHURCHYARD A University of Glasgow biography reveals Robert Dykes Grossart was a student at the University of Glasgow when the First World War began. He cut short his studies and enlisted in the Cameron Highlanders. His matriculation records show that he was born in Corrie, Dumfriesshire, to Wilhelmina and Robert Grossart. His father was a farmer at Milton Farm, Beattock; the farm still exists and is now farmed by W & J Armour. Before he went to Glasgow, Robert had an intense interest in air flight and he built an aeroplane while only 18 years old as his local newspaper, the Dumfries and Galloway Standard and Advertiser of June 1910 reports. When young Robert went up to university in 1912 at the age of 21 to study engineering, his family was resident at Milton, Beattock, and he found a place to stay in Glasgow, first at 90 Buccleuch Street, and later at 14 Willow Bank Crescent. In his first year he took classes in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. In his second year, the academic session 1913-1914, he enrolled for classes in Chemistry, Engineering and Physical Laboratory. War intervened, and sadly he would not be amongst those who were able to return to their studies after the war. The biographical note reports that he was killed in action on 5th February 1917 but this is not quite correct as he was killed four days later while based in Beverley. Robert must have been transferred from the Cameronians to the 18th (2nd Glamorgan) Battalion of the Welsh Regiment where he served initially before being transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as a Temporary Lieutenant. It was while on flying duties that he was killed in February 1917. He was awarded the British War medal and Victory Medal through his earlier service. Lieutenant Grossart was buried at Kirkpatrick Juxta Parish Churchyard, Dumfries, a cemetery to the south of Beattock. In December 1916, Robert learnt to fly with the GB Aero Club as did many other pilots: And he is pictured in their photo album The Beverley Guardian of 10 th Feb 1917 reported as follows: “2 nd Lieut Grossart who belonged to Dumfries in Scotland was killed while flying in Yorkshire yesterday. His plane nose-dived into a field and he was dead when extracted from the wreckage.” January and February 1917 had seen fairly rough weather and snow lay on the ground throughout. Children were pictured tobogganing on the Westwood in the local newspaper but were not allowed out on the playground at their school in Bishop Burton. The week of Grossart’s death also saw the murder of 13 year old schoolgirl, Lily Tindale, at Constitution Hill Farm north of Molescroft, Beverley for which Jack Thompson was hung. That week was also the week that Mrs Sissons was charged with the murder of a baby that had been entrusted to her. She ran what became known as a “baby farm” in Skirlaugh taking in babies that were not wanted by their familes; some were passed on for adoption but one at least was killed. Mrs Sissons was eventually convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to ten years penal servitude. But there was some joy; Miss A Hamnett gave a Fancy Dress Party in aid of the YMCA which raised £9 12s. Flight magazine 13 th February 1917 Robert had an older sister, Helen Fraser Grossart born in 1891; she married James Common in 1918. They had two children Wilhemina and Richard. She died in 1979 at Dumfries Hospital. Reference: http://www.glendinning.name/ancestry/beatfam/pafg26.htm The Grossart family were at Corrie Hill farm, Lockerbie and then at Milton farm Kirkpatrick Juxta. Robert’s father was a champion competitor at Moffat Show winning the Cup for the most successful exhibitor in all classes, cattle sheep and horses for five years running up to 1912. He was also a trustee of Moffat Cottage Hospital. A newspaper report of Robert’s death appeared in the local newspaper shortly after his death. It makes clear his intense interest in the design and building of airplanes as well as in flying them. .

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