Today's tale from Watnall Hall is a moral dilemma that tests the character of our main protagonists both upstairs and downstairs at the hall. Times and attitudes to unmarried mothers and what to do with the child were very different in 1913 than to today but this tale shows a caring and human touch that we have heard about before concerning the Rollestons.
Sadly, it had a tragic, perhaps murderous ending in June 1938 on the road to Underwood. Today a beautiful and prominently-placed gravestone in Greasley churchyard marks the closing of the tale. It was eloquently and movingly told to me so I will let the tale speak for itself...
--------- Robin's Tale ---------
"I love to read all about the happenings at Watnall Hall as my family lived close by and my great grandmother used to meet with Lady Rolleston at what I can only think was an early WI. The family 'fostered' a child, born within the Rolleston home. His name was Robin.
He died tragically, near Underwood, verdict misadventure but he has a grand grave in the Greasley Church yard for such a lowly birth. I'd love to know why. He was a lovely gentleman and my granddaughter is named after him."
His grave is situated as you leave the church, through the gateway into the churchyard, turn right, towards the carpark. It is a few yards up, on the left, front row next to the path. Black marble surround. "Robin. Husband of Connie Dalziel".
His mother was born into service, no maiden name (she never knew her parents) and came down from Scotland aged 8, to work at Watnall Hall. Became pregnant by a young man also working there, who died in the 1st WW. Robin was given the surname of Dalziel for some reason and put in home aged 9 months.
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| Robin and his foster mum |
My great grandmother, a widow, went to the home with Lady Rolleston, and for some reason brought him home. He called her mum and he lived with our family until he married [to Connie in 1936]. He saw his mummy, from time to time but called her Maggie. She eventually married and moved away. We always wondered who paid for such a grave stone, as he really had little money, but his death was very tragic.
He had previously worked at Watnall post office, but had started working at the bus garages in Underwood. He stayed to work late and was cycling home at night to their home, a cottage on the right on Narrow Lane, Moorgreen just past the opening to the Horse and Groom car park (it is no longer there). He was found unconscious, where the bus stop now is in Underwood. Someone took him to his old address at the post office, where he passed away from a severe injury to the back of his head. His wages and watch were missing. At the inquest, I believe they left an open verdict due to suspicious circumstances".
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| Robin with his wife Connie (left) and his foster sisters |
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| Robin as a toddler with teddy bear |
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| Robin on the right with foster siblings |
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| Robin's grave in Greasley churchyard shortly after his death in 1938 |
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