| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Robert (“Bob”) Helyard was born in Beverley the 24 Mar 1891. He was one of eight children born to John Bielby Helyard and Martha Hoggard Helyard. At the time of his birth, Robert’s family lived on Tindall Lane; later living in St Martin’s Terrace, Keldgate and then 120 Keldgate. Like three of his brothers Robert worked as a tanner’s labourer at a local tannery. He was unmarried
Robert spent time in the Territorial Army with the 5th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment. In 1908 he joined the Army Special Reserve, in particular, the Royal Field Artillery Special Reserve. He served in this part time capacity for four years, having according to his records, some disciplinary issues. In 1912 he was declared unfit for further service
He served in the Royal Engineers, specifically as a sapper in the 264th Railway Company. Robert died on 11 Nov 1918, the final day of the war. He died at 42 Sty Hospital, France of bronchial pneumonia and was later buried at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery. He was awarded the War and Victory Medals. He is also commemorated on the Hengate War Memorial in Beverley, on the East Riding Memorial in Beverley Minster and the Keldgate Street Shrine
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |