Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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Date Information
01/05/2020 02057
28/08/2018
28/08/2018
27/05/2017 The CWGC record Private Robert Cander as the son of Joseph and Ellen Cander of 47 Stewart Street, Mossend, Lanarkshire
27/05/2017 Robert was born at Clare, Kildress, Cookstown about 1874. Incomplete GRONI records suggest he was born either on 3rd June 1872 or more likely, on 28th November 1873.
27/05/2017 In 1888 the family moved to Scotland, when Robert was 14.
27/05/2017 At the age of 19 he was working in the coal mines. However, Robert had to stop working in the mines because of health issues in relation to his breathing problems.
27/05/2017 Robert married Catherine McGrath in 1900 in Scotland.
27/05/2017 They had seven children. Sadly, their first and only boy died shortly after birth.
27/05/2017 Family 2: Robert Cander, Catherine McGrath Cander, Ellen Cander (born about 1903), Kate Cander (born about 1905), Annie Cander (born 7th July 1907), Mary Cander (born about 1910), Jean Cander (born about 1913), Ruby Cander (born about 1915).
27/05/2017 Robert enlisted in Hamilton in Scotland.
27/05/2017 Robert was the son of Joseph and Ellen Cander.
27/05/2017 Private Robert Cander is buried in Auchonvillers Military Cemetery, France.
27/05/2017 The CWGC also record Private Cander as the husband of Catherine McGrath Cander. He is described as being a native of Cookstown, County Tyrone.
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27/05/2017 From the photo above of Robert with his children, it can be presumed that he had previously served in the army.
27/05/2017 The 1st Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on the 1st July 1916, was part of the same 29th Division from Gallipoli which was in a sector right beside the 36th (Ulster) Division. The 1st Dublins faced the Hawthorn Ridge at Beaumont Hamel.
27/05/2017 Private Robert Cander was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday 1st July 1916.
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