Robert Henry Harvey

 

Stephen Lamont

The First World War ended on the 11^th of November 1918.  The last serving Swansea soldier who was killed in Action, in the Battle of Sambre, on the 4^th of November, was Stephen Lamont.  Stephen served with the Manchester Regiment and is buried alongside the poet, Wilfred Owen in Ors Communal Cemetery.

Stephen is remembered in a memorial in Sketty Methodist Chapel.

However, on the 11^th Armistice Day, fourteen Welsh soldiers were to lose their lives.  They are.

1.      John Francis Coster-Edwards

2.      C. A. Cooil

3.      Iorwerth Davies

4.      R. H. Harvey

5.      John Stoneham

6.      Aueurin Owen Roberts

7.      Richard Morgan

8.      Rowland Williams

9.      James Tod

10 Thomas Lewis

11 David William Evans

12.T. W. Morgan

13 Henry Godfrey Thomas Leigh

14 J. Roberts

R. H. Harvey is buried at Cwmgelli Cemetery.  So, who is R. H. Harvey?

Robert Henry Harvey was born in 1886.  He was the eldest son, of William and Esther A. Harvey.

At the time of the 1891 Census, Robert, aged 4, lived at 4 Caepistill Street, Brynmelyn, Swansea.

1891 Census

William, 33, born in Falmouth Cornwall, was a General Labourer. Esther A., 27.  Their children are Richard, 4, and 2-year-old Richard T.

William Harvey and Esther Ann nee. Northey were married in 1885.

By the time of the 1901 Census, the family has moved to 21 Powell Street, Swansea.

1901 Census

William H., 45, is still employed as a General Labourer.  Esther, 37.  They have five children, Robert, 14; Richard, 12, William P., 7, Trevor S., 4 and 2-year-old Margaret E.  Also present at the address are relatives, Robert White 50, and 3-year-old Hilda E.

1908, Robert marries Mary Jane Chelley

By the time of the 1911 Census, Robert, 25, and Mary, 21 are living at 30 Earl Street, Swansea.  Robert’s occupation is recorded as Labourer.  They have two children, William J., 3 and 4-month-old Richard H.

1911 Census

Further children are born in later years, Robert, 1912; Trevor G., 1914 and Benjamin C. G., 1915.

Sadly, in 1912, both William and Richard died and were buried at St. Peters church.

Attestation Papers

In October 1914, Robert enlisted and served with the Robert Army Medical Corps, having previously served with the 6^th Battalion, Welsh Regiment.  Having signed for the Duration of the War. His home address is recorded as 57 Prince of Wales Road.

Robert only served 144 days and was discharged as medically unfit in March 1915.

At the time of his death, November 1918, the family were living at 1382 Neath Road.

The South Wales Daily Post

The South Wales Daily Post

Robert Henry Harvey
Cwmgelli Cemetery
credit - Mr Gary Williams 

The South Wales Daily Post, reported on November 15^th 1918, that Robert’s funeral would be at Danygraig Cemetery.  A typing mistake as Robert was buried at Cwmgelli Cemetery as reported on the 18^th.