Name
Robert Charles Livings
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/01/1916
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
17315
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Meritorious Service Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POPERINGHE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY
I.F.7.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
No Inscription
UK & Other Memorials
Ardeley Village Memorial, St Lawrence Church Memorial, Ardeley
Pre War
Robert was the son of Alfred and Elizabeth Livings of Ardeley, Hertfordshire and Robert was born there.
In 1901 census, aged 5, he was living with his parents and brother of 8 months Frederick H. They are not yet found in the 1911 census.
He was affectionately known by his friends as "Little Bob" and was rejected three times by the recruiting authorities at the outbreak of war for not meeting minimum height standards.
Wartime Service
He arrived in Belgium on the 4th October 1915 and spent the next three months serving in the Ypres and Poperinghe area, where the Battalion spent a good of time training and providing working parties for the Royal Engineers.
On the 19th January 1916 the whole Battalion were employed from 5.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. working on the Front and Communication lines, providing carrying parties. The following morning four men were wounded by shellfire, one of these being Robert Livings. He was taken to a field hospital at Poperinghe, where he died from the effects of his wounds.
He was awarded the M.S.M. in 1918.
Additional Information
www.stevenageatwar.com
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners
Paul Johnson
