Name
Robert Bligh
2nd April 1883
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/03/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
8479
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MONT HUON MILITARY CEMETERY, LE TREPORT
VI. E. 12A
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
St Albans Citizens Memorial, Town Hall (old) Memorial, St Albans, Not on the Hatfield memorials, Not on the North Mymms memorials
Pre War
Robert Bligh was born in North Mymms, Herts, on 2nd April 1883, son of John Bligh (B 1850 in St Albans) and Harriett Bligh (nee Kemp) (B1856 in North Mymms). He was Baptised in the Parish of North Mymms on 29th April 1883, One of 12 children 5 of whom died.
1891 Census records Robert aged 8, living with his parents, sisters Minnie 9, Mary 6, Mabel 1, and brother John 3, in Camp Road, St Albans.
1901 Census records Robert aged 18, working as a Horseman on a Farm, living with his parents, brothers John 14, Leonard 6 and sisters Mable 12 and Daisey 2, at Newgate Cottages, Sandridge, St Albans.
Robert enlisted in the County Town of Hertford on 25th May 1905, aged 21, joining the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, with the Service No. 5243. He was 5'-4" tall, his occupation was a "Bricklayers Labourer" and he was living at 4 White Hall Gardens, London Road, St Albans. At some time a renumbering took place as his service number changed to 8479. (His brother John's number was 8480).
The 1911 Census records Robert aged 29, single and serving with the Bedfordshire Regiment, station in Bermuda / Jamaica.
Address later given as 18 Alma Cottages, St Albans.
Wartime Service
It is assumed that Robert was still serving in the British Army on the outbreak of war. His medal card indicates he left the UK with his Battalion on the 6th October 1914.
The Battalion War Diaries shows the Battalion was in the Brugge area of Belgium in October 1914. Robert was wounded in action and died of his wounds on 27th March 1918.
He is buried in the CWGC Mont Huon Military Cemetery, at Le Treport, France. During WW1 Le Treport was a Hospital and Convalescent area on the French coast.
Additional Information
His effects of £21-16s-05d, Pay Owing and £21, War Gratuity went to his sister Minnie. (Mrs Minnie Hill). His brother Private 8480 John Bligh also served with the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He was killed in Action on 26th August 1915, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial to the missing in France. His service record for 1905 was found.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild, Gareth Hughes
