Hemel Hempstead soldier honoured at last
Recently, a ceremony at Heath Lane Cemetery finally honoured Robert James Bates of Boxmoor, who died as a result of his service in the Great War nearly 109 years ago.
Born in 1894, Robert worked locally at Foster's Sawmills on Kingsland Road, before enlisting in the Hertfordshire Regiment in 1915. After serving briefly in France, he was hospitalised with pleurisy and later diagnosed with tubercular peritonitis, leading to his discharge as unfit for service. He died in the West Herts Infirmary on 5th December 1916, at the young age of 22, just months after returning home.
Although his family commemorated him on the Hemel Hempstead War Memorial following his demise, Robert was not officially recognised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) as a victim of the war. This oversight was discovered by local researchers Brendan Sheridan and David Logan, who gathered evidence and submitted it to the “In From the Cold Project” (IFCP). IFCP is dedicated to the task of achieving recognition for the thousands of men and women who died in the service of Britain and the Commonwealth during two world wars where there is no official recognition of their sacrifice
Happily, in 2019 CWGC accepted the evidence provided, and a headstone was erected on Robert's grave in 2024. He was also added to the national Roll of Honour as an official victim of the war.
On Saturday 8th November, Fr. David Cherry of St Mary and St Joseph gave a blessing at Robert's grave and led a short service of remembrance in the presence of representatives from the Royal British Legion, members of his congregation, and other interested parties. Brendan Sheridan gave a short reading telling Robert's story and Sue Rose, Chair of the Hemel Hempstead branch of the Royal British Legion, delivered the exhortation, emphasising the importance of remembrance. The service concluded with the National Anthem and the dipping of the standard, marking a dignified and heartfelt tribute to Robert’s sacrifice so many years ago.
The stories of many of the men commemorated on the Hemel Hempstead War Memorial who died in the Great War can be found at www.hemelheroes.com.