Name
Robert William Haward
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/09/1918
33
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
70520
Royal Garrison Artillery
158th Siege Bty.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MINDEL TRENCH BRITISH CEMETERY, ST. LAURENT-BLANGY
E. 15.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
We are not aware of any memorial in Bells Hill, Not on the St Albans memorials*1
Pre War
Robert William was born in 1885 in Hampstead, London to George William Haward, an Ironmonger, and Emily Green (nee Burls). On the 1891 Census the family of Mother, father, elder brother George Frederick and Robert were living at Waverley Estate, Farnham Surrey.
On the 1901 Census Robert was recorded living with his parents at Waverley Villas, 1, Alfred Road Waverley Estate, Farnham.
Robert married Winifred Amy Caroline Little on 3 Sep 1910 in Paddington, Midlesex. They were living at 17 Beltring Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent on the 1911 Census with Robert’s occupation was given as an iromonger’s assistant. His widow later lived at 32 Culverden Avenue, Tunbridge Wells, Kent and at Wilbury lodge, Bells hill, Barnet, Herts.
Wartime Service
Robert attested on 8 Dec 1915 for the Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 70520 and was placed on Army Reserve until being mobilised on 7 Mar 1916. He was aged 31 and his occupation was an Ironmonger Shop Assistant. He gave his address as 17 Beltring Road, Tunbridge Wells.
He was mobilised on 7 Mar 1916 and trained at No 1 Depot RGA and at ‘A’ Siege Depot on 16 Mar 1916. During training he was rated Very Good at Signals & Telephony at Cooden Camp, Bexhill, Kent, and later in his artillery service received profiency pay.
On 24 Jun 1916 Robert transferred to 158 Siege Battery RGA and left for France with the Battery on 9 Sep 1916. Robert was granted leave in UK from 30 Nov 1817 to 14 Dec 1917. On 17 Dec 1917 158th Siege Battery was reallocated to 1st Army having been increased to six 9.2 inch Howitzers and by early Sep 1918 during the Battle of Arras had been located to St Nicholas to engage in counter battery fire. The War Diary states that on 7 Sep 1918 the rear section of the Battery was shelled by Enemy artillery but returned fire which caused a slackening and cessation of this bombardment.
Robert was killed in action on this day together with Gnr 178724 Alfred Edward Parkes.
Additional Information
Robert is remembered as an addition to his Father’s gravestone in St Albans*1. War Gratuity of £11 10s and Arrears of £6 7s 10d together with Probate of £393 7s 10d was paid to his widow. Older brother, George Frederic Haward served with as Sapper Royal Engineers and survived.
*1 INSCRIPTION:
ALSO OF GNR. ROBERT WILLIAM HAYWOOD, R.G.A
DEARLY LOVED YOUNGER SON OF THE ABOVE [George William & Emily Hayward]
WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE SEPTEMBER 7TH 1918. AGE 33 YEARS.
INTERRED AT SAINT-LAURENT BLANGY, NEAR ARRAS
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
