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...
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| Robin as a young boy and his grave at Greasley church |
--------- 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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So perhaps now you know his story, the next time you are at Greasley church pay your respects to Robin Dalziel and his young widow Connie and consider his all too short life and the unanswered questions left behind...
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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 |
-------- THE END --------
Sally, Thanks for the photographs and permission to share Robin's story.
Church aerial shot courtesy of Matt Sirrell.
Thanks to Barbara Newbury for the newspaper clippings
Wedding
BRIDE'S GESTURE AT A HUCKNALL WEDDING
Bouquet Placed At Altar In Memory Of Her Father
The Rev. J. N. Mahon officiated at the wedding at the Hucknall Parish Church on Saturday between Miss Connie Hufton, the youngest daughter of Mrs and the late Mr. Ernest Hufton, of Woodstock Street, Hucknall, and Mr. Robin Mackenzie Dalziel, the elder son of Mrs Gilbert, of London. The duties of best man were ably carried out by Mr. Bernard Clifton (brother-in-law).
The bride, who was given away by her brother, Mr. Ernie Hufton, looked charming in a dress of white ivory satin beaute, with wreath and veil. She carried a bouquet of red carnations and a white heather horseshoe - the latter being a gift of the best man.
Mrs. Doris Clifton (sister of bride) and Miss Mary Bradbury (friend) were the chief bridesmaids, being attired in mauve crepe and carrying sheafs of cream roses. A junior attendant - Miss Mildred Wright (friend), completed the retinue, and she was in a dress of flowered silk and carried a sheaf of light red sweet peas.
The bride's mother wore a royal blue crepe dress, with shoulder spray of pink carnations, and the mother of the groom attended in black silk lace.
Twenty guests attended the reception at Woodstock Street, and afterwards the bride's bouquet was taken to the Lady Chapel at the church, and placed at the altar in remembrance of her father, who was taken prisoner in Germany and died October 16, 1918. The happy couple, who were the recipients of numerous presents will take up their abode at "Shortwood," Moorgreen, Watnall. [on the hill opposite Horse and Groom as you go down Narrow Lane.]
Newspaper report of Robin's death
The newspaper makes it sound like a bike accident but several family members have told me it was very suspicious at the time.
Hucknall Dispatch - June 9th 1938 Thursday
Watnall Man Found on Roadway Dies In Hospital.
Early on Monday morning, Robin Dalziel, 25 of 41 Main Road, Watnall, was found lying in the roadway near Underwood. Suffering from concussion. His cycle from which it is thought he had fallen was lying nearby.
A bus was brought from the garage and he was taken home and put to bed. However his condition became worse and an ambulance was phoned for and by 2 a.m. he had been admitted to the Nottingham General Hospital, where he passed away at 2.p.m. the same day.
He was employed by the Midland General Omnibus Co. and left the Underwood garage at midnight on Sunday.
Mr. Dalziel was married to Miss Connie Hufton at the Hucknall Parish Church on 20th June 1936.
The parent of the deceased, who reside in London, were spending a short holiday with their son.
An inquest will be held.
16th June, 1938
Ruth Mee, 15 Mayfield Avenue, Heanor, said she was waiting for a bus when she heard a noise, and looking round saw Dalziel on the road. There was no traffic and nobody near to him when he fell.
William George Tooley, of Alfreton road, Selston, an inspector of the Alfreton General Omnibus Company, by whom Dalziel was employed said that the dead man left the garage about 11.20.p.m. and ten minutes later he heard he had met with an accident. Witness went at once to the scene and found the dead man lying in the hedge bottom.
The jury's verdict was that Dalziel died as the result of a fracture of the skull sustained through an accidental fall from his bicycle.
THE FUNERAL AT GREASLEY
The funeral of the late Mr. Dalziel was on Saturday, when the service was conducted at Greasley Church by the Rev. J.N.Mahon. The coffin was carried by six of his workmates and there were a number of representatives of the Notts and Derby Traction Co. and Midland General Omnibus Co.Ltd.
The congregation sang the hymn "how sweet the name of Jesus sounds "followed by a prayer and the 23rd Psalm, and lastly the hymn. "Jesus lover of my soul" The coffin was then borne to the graveside.
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