| Robert Fulton was the eldest son of Robert and Mary Ann Fulton. Robert Fulton and Mary McKeown were married on 29th December 1892 in the district of Cookstown.
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| Robert was born in Newmills on 20th May 1895. He was one of six children, five surviving. His elder sister Mary died when she was just five years old.
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| The 1901 census records Robert as age 5, living with the family at house 16 in Roughan, near Newmills in County Tyrone. His father was a domestic servant and coachman.
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| Family: Robert Fulton, Mary Ann Fulton, Mary Fulton (born 16th March 1894, died 21st April 1899, age 5), Robert Fulton (born 20th May 1895), Jane Dougle Fulton (born 14th September 1896), William Fulton (born about 1898), John Fulton (born 20th July 1900), Albert Fulton (born 28th June 1902).
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| By the time of the 1011 census the family had moved to Tullagh Beg, Stewartstown. Robert no longer lived with the family. His father was a farm labourer.
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| The 1911 census lists a 16 year old Robert Fulton in Lederg, Bernagh, not far from Newmills. He was working as a servant for the Annesley family.
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| Robert was a member of Newmills Company of the Ulster Volunteers.
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| Robert Fulton enlisted with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Dungannon at the outbreak of the First World War and subsequently transferred to the 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th January 1916: Rifleman Robert Fulton
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| Rifleman Robert Fulton, No 4 Company, 16th Royal Irish Rifles, writing to his father, Mr Robert Fulton, Tullagleey, Newmills, says he is well and got a splendid parcel from Mrs McIlwaine and one from Mrs Elliott, Whitetown. Both parcels contained useful wearables as well as good things to eat. He had been advised of a parcel from Mrs Wilson, but it had not arrived up-to-date (3-1-16). Letters, etc, reach them slowly as they move around so much.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 5th February 1916: Mid Ulster Men at Suvla - Composed in the trenches by the undersigned, who send their compliments to friends at home
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‘Twas on the seventh August last, the day was fair and bright,
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We sons of dear old Ireland joined in the World fight.
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At four o’clock that morning we came to Suvla Bay,
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‘Mongst bursting shell and flying shot round ships amid the spray.
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Facing a hurricane of death, we reach the rugged shore,
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The ruthless crescent taunting flies where red lipped cannon roar;
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High courage shot from many an eye, while hearts are beating fast,
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For well we knew for many there, that day would be the last.
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The Inniskillings on the left, the Dublins on the right,
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The Irish Fusiliers between – it was a glorious sight.
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Led forward by our officers, off for the hills we go,
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Where many a crag, and many a shrub and trench concealed a foe.
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We reached the zone of musketry, the bullets fell like rain,
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And many a comrade as we passed, lay dying on the plain.
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Our Naval shells flew overhead, sheeting the heights with flame,
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We thought of loved ones far away, as to the hills we came.
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We charged the heights together, with bayonets glittering bright,
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Avenging many an Irish heart, stilled in that bloody fight.
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And when we’d made our footing good, ere dawned another morn,
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We felt we’d fought for Ireland, the land where we were born.
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| Written by Lance Corporal T Campbell, Private R Fulton and Private M Graham
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| From the Tyrone Courier dated 20 July 1916:
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| Private Robert Fulton, killed, was a son of Robert Fulton senior, Tullaghbeg, Newmills, and an active member of the Newmills Company of the U.V.F.
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| Rifleman Fulton survived the first day on the Somme but was killed in action on 2nd July 1916. He was 21 years old.
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| On Sunday 16th July 1916 at a special service at Newmills Presbyterian, Reverend Dr. Logan spoke of Private Robert Fulton and paid tribute to him. A vote of sympathy was passed by Mr Elliot and Mr McCrum (Robert’s Sunday School Teacher) to his family.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 22 July 1916:
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| Rifleman Bob Fulton, 16th Royal Irish Rifles (formerly of 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers), killed in action 2nd July 1916. Much sympathy is felt for the parents of Private Robert Fulton, who was one of the many who were killed on 1st July 1916, when the indomitable courage of the Ulster Division was shown by their heroic charge. He was the eldest son of Mr Robert Fulton, Tullaghbeg, Newmills. An active member of Newmills U.V.F., he joined the new army when the Ulster Division was formed, on 22nd November 1914, and went to France last September. On Sunday in the Presbyterian Church, a vote of sympathy was proposed by Mr Elliott, seconded by Mr McCrum (who was Bob’s Sunday School teacher), and both spoke such words of commendation and praise of the fine character of the dead hero, that all present were deeply moved, and stood for a short time to pass this touching tribute to his memory and respect for his bereaved family. Rev Dr. Logan’s words on the occasion made a lasting impression, and he was glad to hear that Private Fulton had been a good soldier in both respects.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 22 July 1916: Private Robert Fulton
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| Private Robert Fulton, Tyrone Volunteers, killed on 2nd July, was a son of Mr Robert Fulton senior, Tullaghbeg, Newmills, Dungannon, and was a keen member of the Newmills Company, Dungannon Battalion U.V.F.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 29 July 1916:
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| Rifleman Bob Fulton, 16th Royal Irish Rifles (formerly of 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers), killed in action 2nd July 1916. Much sympathy is felt for the parents of Private Robert Fulton, who was one of the many who were killed on 1st July 1916, when the indomitable courage of the Ulster Division was shown by their heroic charge. He was the eldest son of Mr Robert Fulton, Tullaghbeg, Newmills. An active member of Newmills U.V.F., he joined the new army when the Ulster Division was formed, on 22nd November 1914, and went to France last September. On Sunday in the Presbyterian Church, a vote of sympathy was proposed by Mr Elliott, seconded by Mr McCrum (who was Bob’s Sunday School teacher), and both spoke such words of commendation and praise of the fine character of the dead hero, that all present were deeply moved, and stood for a short time to pass this touching tribute to his memory and respect for his bereaved family. Rev Dr. Logan’s words on the occasion made a lasting impression, and he was glad to hear that Private Fulton had been a good soldier in both respects.
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| The rector also, at divine service in the Parish Church, referred to Private Fulton as a splendid soldier and a good clean straight boy, whose death they mourned, and whose sacrifice they honoured, and at the close of the service Mrs Wilson played the Death March.
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| Rifleman Robert Fulton has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
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| He is also commemorated in Newmills Presbyterian Church.
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| The CWGC record Rifleman Robert Fulton as the son of Robert and Mary A. Fulton, of Tullaghmore, Sherrygroom, Co. Tyrone.
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