Joseph William Robson was born 29 December 1892 at Cockfield to Thomas and Mary Robson.  In 1901 the family lived at 20 Burnt Houses.  He attended Cockfield C. of E. School then the County School.  In 1911 he was employed as a coal miner [underground putter].  He worked at New Copley Colliery.

J.W Robson was a member of the Territorial Force and 6 October 1914 he joined 2^nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance RAMC [service number 1676 later 388256] and entered France 19 April 1915. He was awarded Military Medal for bravery in the field 3 June 1918. He returned home by duty order as a coal miner 31 December 1918, disembodied in February 1919 and finally discharged 31 March 1920. He served 5 years 178 days in the Territorial Force, 3 years 242 days overseas in France with only 15 days furlough throughout this period.  He was awarded the Military Medal, the 1914-15 Star, the British War and Victory medals.

He died 1929 aged 38 at Sedgefield.