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Name Robert MacDonald Hay
Regiment 1st 28th Bn London Regiment (Artists Rifles)
Service Rank and Number Private 762956 (8952)
Military Cemetery/Memorial Tyne Cot Memorial
Ref No. of Grave or Memorial Panel 153
Country of Cemetery/Memorial Belgium
Medals Awarded Victory and British War medals
Date and Circumstances of Death Died 30th October 1917 aged 29 yrs
Biographical Details Known Robert MacDonald Hay was born in 1888 in Garston Lancashire. His father was a Scotsman, Alexander Hay who seems to have spent his working life as a railway agent. The mother, Mary was a Welshwoman born in Wrexham which was in Flintshire then. We have traced the family living in Halewood, Liverpool in the 1901 census. Alexander was 49, Mary was 40 and their children were Robert 13, Rosalie 11, Alexander 10, David 7 and Dorothy 5.
In the 1911 census the family was still in Liverpool. The mother Mary had died and widower Alexander was 59 and working as a clerk in a railway company as indeed was Robert the eldest son. Rosalie was a housekeeper for the family and the other two boys (Alexander and David) were working as Sea Stewards for a steamship company. Dorothy was 15.
When he enlisted in Mold in February 1916 Robert gives his address as The Dolphin Hotel and his trade as 'clerk'.
After his death his relatives are listed on Army form 5080 'Names and addresses of all the relatives of the deceased' It gives some family history.
Father Alexander is living in Mold working for the Flint and Denbigh Railway. His address is given as 12, Griffith Square Mold
Alexander Hay, brother is living in the USA address unknown
David Hay brother is 'at sea' address unknown
Mrs Rosalie Williams (sister now married) is living in 37 Waverton(?) Rd Liverpool
Dorothy Hay is living in 127 Rosebury (?) Rd Liverpool
Robert's Flintshire Roll of Honour card says that he was killed at Passchendale whilst acting as a stretcher bearer. The Dolphin Hotel is given as an address. The card is signed by Alexander Hay.