Robert was born Nov 19, 1892 at Atherington, Devonshire, England to John and Susanna Short. He spent his youth in the district along with several siblings. When his school years were over Robert worked as an agricultural laborer like his father. In his later teens Robert immigrated to Canada. Again he worked in the farming industry. He spent some time in Birtle Manitoba where he enlisted with the 226th Battn on March 25, 1916 at Birtle. He started training June 2, 1916 at Camp Huges near Brandon Manitoba. Robert departed for England December 1916 when he was reassigned to the 16th Battn. January 1917 he arrived in France with the 16th Battn.
March 11, 1918 Robert Short was granted permission to marry Ellen Newcombe Parkhouse. She was born and raised in the same area of Devon as Robert. She became a widow after 4 to 5 months of marriage, her husband having spent most of that time fighting in France. 1920 Ellen remarried to Henry Pearce.
Robert Short died on active duty - He was on a daylight patrol south of LaChavatte. His platoon was surrounded, severe fighting took place. The non commissioned officer fought his way back to the main line reported Pte Short was killed instantly by a sniper's bullet. On regaining the area Pte Short's body was found and buried.
The picture included in this memorial was located at Birtle. It had been stored in the Birtle Town Hall. When this hall was demolished in the 1980s a local Legion member rescued the picture.
The following is an excerpt from 'The Western Times' of Devonshire Oct 11, 1918:
Title, "WHAT 1918 MEANS TO ONE DEVON HOME" - under the title are pictures of 3 soldiers - ROBERT, JACK, WILLIAM
"Three Atherington brothers who have made the supreme sacrifice. They are the only grown sons of Mr and Mrs John Short, Tray-Lane, Atherington. The first is Robert Short (Canadians) age 25 and who leaves a young widow, was killed in action on Aug 16th, 1918; the second, Jack age 22, lost his life on a submarine in January last; and the third, William of Cheshire Regiment, age 20 was killed in action on Aug 21st, 1918, five days after his brother Robert."
March 11, 1918 Robert Short was granted permission to marry Ellen Newcombe Parkhouse. She was born and raised in the same area of Devon as Robert. She became a widow after 4 to 5 months of marriage, her husband having spent most of that time fighting in France. 1920 Ellen remarried to Henry Pearce.
Robert Short died on active duty - He was on a daylight patrol south of LaChavatte. His platoon was surrounded, severe fighting took place. The non commissioned officer fought his way back to the main line reported Pte Short was killed instantly by a sniper's bullet. On regaining the area Pte Short's body was found and buried.
The picture included in this memorial was located at Birtle. It had been stored in the Birtle Town Hall. When this hall was demolished in the 1980s a local Legion member rescued the picture.
The following is an excerpt from 'The Western Times' of Devonshire Oct 11, 1918:
Title, "WHAT 1918 MEANS TO ONE DEVON HOME" - under the title are pictures of 3 soldiers - ROBERT, JACK, WILLIAM
"Three Atherington brothers who have made the supreme sacrifice. They are the only grown sons of Mr and Mrs John Short, Tray-Lane, Atherington. The first is Robert Short (Canadians) age 25 and who leaves a young widow, was killed in action on Aug 16th, 1918; the second, Jack age 22, lost his life on a submarine in January last; and the third, William of Cheshire Regiment, age 20 was killed in action on Aug 21st, 1918, five days after his brother Robert."
Robert was born Nov 19, 1892 at Atherington, Devonshire, England to John and Susanna Short. He spent his youth in the district along with several siblings. When his school years were over Robert worked as an agricultural laborer like his father. In his later teens Robert immigrated to Canada. Again he worked in the farming industry. He spent some time in Birtle Manitoba where he enlisted with the 226th Battn on March 25, 1916 at Birtle. He started training June 2, 1916 at Camp Huges near Brandon Manitoba. Robert departed for England December 1916 when he was reassigned to the 16th Battn. January 1917 he arrived in France with the 16th Battn.
March 11, 1918 Robert Short was granted permission to marry Ellen Newcombe Parkhouse. She was born and raised in the same area of Devon as Robert. She became a widow after 4 to 5 months of marriage, her husband having spent most of that time fighting in France. 1920 Ellen remarried to Henry Pearce.
Robert Short died on active duty - He was on a daylight patrol south of LaChavatte. His platoon was surrounded, severe fighting took place. The non commissioned officer fought his way back to the main line reported Pte Short was killed instantly by a sniper's bullet. On regaining the area Pte Short's body was found and buried.
The picture included in this memorial was located at Birtle. It had been stored in the Birtle Town Hall. When this hall was demolished in the 1980s a local Legion member rescued the picture.
The following is an excerpt from 'The Western Times' of Devonshire Oct 11, 1918:
Title, "WHAT 1918 MEANS TO ONE DEVON HOME" - under the title are pictures of 3 soldiers - ROBERT, JACK, WILLIAM
"Three Atherington brothers who have made the supreme sacrifice. They are the only grown sons of Mr and Mrs John Short, Tray-Lane, Atherington. The first is Robert Short (Canadians) age 25 and who leaves a young widow, was killed in action on Aug 16th, 1918; the second, Jack age 22, lost his life on a submarine in January last; and the third, William of Cheshire Regiment, age 20 was killed in action on Aug 21st, 1918, five days after his brother Robert."
March 11, 1918 Robert Short was granted permission to marry Ellen Newcombe Parkhouse. She was born and raised in the same area of Devon as Robert. She became a widow after 4 to 5 months of marriage, her husband having spent most of that time fighting in France. 1920 Ellen remarried to Henry Pearce.
Robert Short died on active duty - He was on a daylight patrol south of LaChavatte. His platoon was surrounded, severe fighting took place. The non commissioned officer fought his way back to the main line reported Pte Short was killed instantly by a sniper's bullet. On regaining the area Pte Short's body was found and buried.
The picture included in this memorial was located at Birtle. It had been stored in the Birtle Town Hall. When this hall was demolished in the 1980s a local Legion member rescued the picture.
The following is an excerpt from 'The Western Times' of Devonshire Oct 11, 1918:
Title, "WHAT 1918 MEANS TO ONE DEVON HOME" - under the title are pictures of 3 soldiers - ROBERT, JACK, WILLIAM
"Three Atherington brothers who have made the supreme sacrifice. They are the only grown sons of Mr and Mrs John Short, Tray-Lane, Atherington. The first is Robert Short (Canadians) age 25 and who leaves a young widow, was killed in action on Aug 16th, 1918; the second, Jack age 22, lost his life on a submarine in January last; and the third, William of Cheshire Regiment, age 20 was killed in action on Aug 21st, 1918, five days after his brother Robert."
Gravesite Details
Private, 16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment). Age: 25
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