Private Robert Houston
Robert Houston was born on 12 December 1891 at Annaghanoon, Waringstown, County Down, the ninth of ten children of weaver (later farmer) Benjamin Houston, and his wife Jane (nee Beattie). By 1911 he was living at nearby Bangoe with his parents and six siblings and working on the family farm.
Houston enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 16 and 20 August 1910 (No.527 – later Corps of Hussars No.71031). He embarked for France with A Squadron on 17 August 1914, seeing action in the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.
It appears that Houston left France in 1914 or 1915 – perhaps sick injured or wounded. He re-embarked for France on 11 January 1916 with E Squadron.
Houston remained with the regiment throughout the war. He was transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve, on 24 February 1919.
On 28 January 1921 he married Anne McKeown at Waringstown Parish Church.
The above image, from the Belfast Weekly Telegraph of 26 February 1916, can be seen in its full context here.