NORTH Robert Dudley

Robert Dudley North was born on 28th September 1884. He entered Form 3 Kings School in September 1898. At the time of his admission to the school his parent is recorded as Rev. R.R. Needham S. Martins Vicarage. Robert was previously educated at Marshfield Junior School. He left Kings School from Form IV in April 1900. Remarks: Bank Clerk, Nottingham. Killed in war.

2nd Lieut., Sherwood Foresters.
Born September 28th, 1884. Killed in action, May 3rd, 1916.
Dudley North, the eldest son of Mr., and Mrs. Henry North, of Leigh Bank, Little Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, entered the School in September, 1894, from Mansfield Grammar School, and left in April 1900, after making many friends and impressing all by his bright and earnest personality, to enter Lloyds Bank at Nottingham, where for many years he has a responsible position at the head office. At the outbreak of the War he enlisted in the Public Schools’ Battalion, and was quickly granted a commission in the 14th Sherwood Foresters. For many months he was stationed at Lichfield, but eager to get to the front he exchanged into the 2nd Battalion, though thus forfeiting promotion, which sent out a draft early in February. He was killed by a shell in the trenches near Ypres on May 3rd. His C.O. wrote of him as “one of best of his subalterns, always keen and cheery, no matter how bad things were, and always ready to do anything that wanted doing.” A boy of deep religious convictions, he was always a keen and loyal Churchman, a server, a sidesman, and a regular Sunday School teacher. His removal closes a most unusual life on earth, and he leaves behind a bright example. One who knew him best writes: “He was a splendid man and ‘deeply good’.”
W. H. C.

Source for additional information: The Vigornian, July 1916, No.86, Vol.VIII

A Memorial Service for The Men of Worcester and the Neighbourhood who have laid down their lives in the war was held in Worcester Cathedral on All Saints Day, 1916 at 7.30pm. 2nd Lieut. R.D. North, Sherwood Foresters is listed on the Roll of Honour in the service booklet under Old Vigornians.

Robert North worked at the Nottingham branch of Lloyds Bank. His name appears on the Lloyds Bank War Memorial unveiled at the Head Office on 8th February 1921 and in the company’s Memorial Album 1914 1918