Lester, R (Robert)
Lester, R (Robert)
Private Robert Lester was from Belfast and was unmarried when he died of Cardiac failure in Ebrington Barracks. He had served with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers since the outbreak of war and had previously served with the East Yorkshire regiment for twenty-one years.
Robert’s funeral was only attended by a brass and pipe band plus a firing party. He had no next of kin.
The 3rd Reserve Battalion was based in Ebrington Barracks, Londonderry from September 1914 until April 1918 when it moved to England.
Their duties were to recruit and train soldiers for the front line. They alone recruited and trained more than twelve thousand men.
Throughout the war the 3rd had the same commander who was Lieutenant Colonel McClintock. He retired in 1919 when the battalion was disbanded.
On a few occasions, they had to host hundreds of shipwrecked sailors, including those from the Brisk (sunk October 1917) and the American transport ship SS Tuscania (sunk February 1918). They received praise and gifts for their hospitality on both occasions.
Date of Death: 07/03/1916 (Aged 50)
Service: Private, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 3rd Battalion.
Service Number: 24979
Burial Location: Londonderry (or Derry), City Cemetery, GA. Mil. 15.
