Robert Walker Oldroyd was born on the 1st of June 1914 in the Thornhill Lees area of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. We don't know a great deal about his childhood in the 1920s, except that he began work at the Slazenger Sports factory in Horbury, West Yorkshire during his teens. On the 6th of May 1931, he joined the Territorial Army as a reservist aged 16, at Ossett, West Yorkshire. His enlistment form noted his profession as a hockey stick bender! After enlistment, he was posted to the 4th Battalion of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI). The KOYLI was a common regiment for men from Robert's part of West Yorkshire, and many of his relatives had served in it during the First World War. Throughout the 1930s, he attended regular Territorial Army camps, and his photos show happy days spent with friends. His life was quickly affected by the rising tensions of the summer of 1939. On 1st July 1939, a month after his 25th birthday, he was transferred to the 2/4 Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. This was formed after the Territorial Army split the 4th Battalion KOYLI to form 1/4 and 2/4 Battalions. On 2nd September, he was 'called to colours' and transferred to active service, a day before Britain declared war on Nazi Germany. On the 4th of September, Robert was promoted to Sergeant. The spring of 1940 brought deployment to Europe. On the 26th of April 1940, Robert was sent to France with the British Expeditionary Force. As part of the 46th Infantry Division, Robert's unit was sent to France to initially aid with labouring and pioneer duties. As such, it was very lightly equipped. As panic ensued in May 1940 with the German invasion of France and Belgium through the Ardennes Forest, the 2/4 Battalion KOYLI was moved up to the canal network outside of Lille to assist in its defense. It was badly prepared for the German forces it encountered and suffered heavy casualties. The withdrawal from France was chaotic, and Robert's Battalion found itself separated from others in the 46th division, the 2/4 ...