After leaving Carlisle Grammar School Robert went to Glasgow University to study engineering. However he was there for only a short time as he signed up for active service on Sept 8 1914. Like many hundreds of other recruits Robert lied when he signed up and added two years to his age, saying he was 19 years and 11 months when he was only 17 years and 11 months! He joined the 6th Battalion Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. He was 5 feet 6 ½ inches tall and 133lbs, with a dark complexion, dark hair and brown eyes.
Robert died at Loos. Unusually there is an account of his death written by Private David D Munro, who lay beside him on the battlefield for the last hour of his life; and said that he died peacefully. The following day there was no trace of his body as there had been further shelling. He had been in France just 79 days.
It is nice to note that Private Munro survived the war and was demobbed in 1919.
The “Old Carliol” Magazine at first listed Robert as wounded, then as a POW, before his death was finally confirmed.
The following was in The Carliol magazine in the spring edition of 1917.
From Private Norman Shaw, 3rd Cameron Highlanders
“Since I returned to this depot I have come into contact with numerous members of De Glanville’s old battalion…All speak well of him, and from what I hear his courage and pluck were splendid. These characteristics endeared him to his comrades, but not so much as another virtue of his – his unselfishness. Lance-Corporal Spence told me of how De Glanville often gave up his rations to any young boy in the trenches. That, I think, is a more meritorious deed than going out to help a wounded man. Again, I have heard of his perpetual desire to be doing something useful, and, as a result he was greatly in demand for listening posts, wiring parties and other tasks for which only volunteers are of use.”
