Henry, Robert Williamson 77283 ( - 1915)

Company Quartermaster Sergeant, 16th Bn. Canadian Infantry

Buried at Vimy Memorial

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Robert W. Henry, better known as Robin, was of the same generous, unselfish, loyal type as his elder brother (see John Henry). In 1904, when he was twenty-one years of age, he went to Winnipeg, and later to Calgary. Finally, he settled down in Cranbrook, Dakota, as an estate agent, and was building up a fine business when war began. Settling up his affairs as best he could he joined the Canadian Scottish in October, 1914. He, did not get to England till the following March. After a short leave home he went to France on the 26th April.

A month later, at the Battle of Festubert, 20th May, 1915, fought at the urgent request of the French General in order to relieve the pressure on his lines, but a hopeless affair from the outset, the company of the Canadian Scottish lost eighty-four men, and among them C.Q.M.S. Henry, who was shot through the head and killed instantly.

His commanding officer reports that he was one of his best non-commissioned officers. The whole-hearted sympathy of the School goes out to his widowed mother, who has been doubly bereaved.