Robert (Robbie) Roberts

Killed in Action on the 13/04/1918 when shot in the head by a German sniper during the Battle of Hazebrouck (part of the Battles of the Lys)

The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 20/02/1915 and a week later they joined the 8th Brigade, 3rd Division at La Clytte. On the 23/02/1916 they transferred to the 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. Late in 1916 they absorbed the Shetland Companies after suffering casualties on the Somme. Robert was shot in the head by a sniper. He was chatting to his Commanding Officer at the time during the Battle of Hazebrouck, 12th - 15th April 1918. The Division - On the 1st April, the Division entrained for the Bethune area where it was hoped things would be quieter. Unfortunately, the enemy opened a second phase of his offensive on the 9th April 1918 (the Battle of Estaires), and the 51st (Highland) Division moved into defensive positions behind Richebourg Saint Vaast, where it played a key part in beating off incessant attacks, again at great cost : another 2,500 men. Following the heavy casualties sustained during this action, a composite force consisting of troops from 152nd and 153rd Brigades, Royal Engineers, 11th (Canadian) Railway Battalion, 51st Machine Gun Corps and various other details was formed. It held part of the First Army front near Robecq from the 12th to 15th April 1918. These Battles were part of the Battles of the Lys, 9th April - 29th April 1918 : The third German offensive Operation Georgette takes place in Flanders with the objective of capturing key railway and supply roads and cutting off British Second Army at Ypres. After initial successes the German attack is once again held after British and French reserves are somehow found and deployed. See Newspaper clipping for letter sent to Robert's mother by the Commanding Officer Lieutenant Sutherland. See photos for Robert's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Ploegsteert Memorial Panel List, his name on the Ploegsteert Memorial x 2, Robert's Pension Records x 2 and the Gordon Highlanders Cap Badge.