1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
17/05/1891
Died:
01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
25
Summary
Robert Symington was the son of John and Mary Anne Symington. Robert Symington was born on 17th May 1891 in Brookborough, County Fermanagh. The family lived in Ramult, Cross, Fermanagh. They were a farming family. Robert Symington enlisted in the Inniskillings in Brookeborough and went to Gallipoli to join the 1st Battalion on 2nd September 1915. On 18th March, the battalion landed at Marseilles and by 6th April it was at the front line trenches at the Somme. Private Robert Symington was serving the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Further Information
Robert Symington was the son of John and Mary Anne Symington. John Symington married Mary Lynn on 27th June 1883 in Fermanagh.
Robert Symington was born on 17th May 1891 in Brookborough, County Fermanagh.
The 1901 census lists Robert as age 9 living with the family at house 6 in Ramult, Cross, Fermanagh. They were a farming family.
Family: John Symington, Mary Symington, Jane Symington (born 27th September 1884), Thomas Symington (born 12th March 1886), Samuel Symington (born 5th January 1888), William Symington (born 24th December 1888), Robert Symington (born 17th May 1891), Richard Symington (born about 1895), Eliza Symington (born 20th June 1896).
The 1911 census does not list Robert as living with the family at house 1 in Ramult, Cross, Fermanagh. Robert was 18 years old and working as a farm servant for William and Samuel Crawford in Tattykeeran, Tempo.
Robert Symington enlisted in the Inniskillings in Brookeborough and went to Gallipoli to join the 1st Battalion on 2nd September 1915.
When the 1st Inniskillings left Gallipoli on 8th January 1916, 267 had been killed 1001 had been injured and 79 were missing.
On 18th March, the battalion landed at Marseilles and by 6th April it was at the front line trenches at the Somme.
Private Robert Symington was serving the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Robert's older brother, William Symington, had enlisted in the Inniskillings on 30th December 1813 (Private 3180) but had purchased his discharge two weeks later. On 18th November, William enlisted in the 6th Dublin Fusiliers (Private 22094). He sustained a gunshot wound to the right thigh at Gallipoli on 22th September 1915. He survived the war.
Private Robert Symington is also commemorated on a plaque in Fivemiletown Methodist Church.
The CWGC record Private Robert Symington as the son of Mrs. Mary Symington, of Tattinafra, Tempo, Co. Fermanagh.
Most of the information here was derived from the book, 'Fermanagh War Memorial Book of Honour 1914 – 1921'. Page 356 is devoted to Private Robert Symington.
