Robert William Hoare

A Captain with the 1/7th Battalion, Robert died on 9th of October 1917 at the age of 31. 

Robert was born at Nassington, Northamptonshire, in 1886, a son of Joseph Alfred and Annie Katherine Hoare. In 1891 his family lived at Nassington. Robert’s parents continued to live at Nassington until 1920 when they moved to Lowestoft, living at 294 London Road, and then 50 Acton Road.  

Robert was awarded a County Scholarship to attend Laxton Grammar, Oundle, in 1901. Robert became a teacher and in 1911 he lodged at 9 Laurel Lane, Halesowen, and was an assistant schoolmaster at Halesowen Grammar School. 

Robert served with the Territorial Force from 1909, initially as a Private in the 5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. On 4 January 1913 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant with the 1/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment.  

The 1/7th Battalion were mobilized on 5 August 1914 and all men were ordered to report to the battalion headquarters at Kidderminster. The battalion embarked at Folkestone on 31 March 1915 and disembarked at Boulogne the next day. On proceeding overseas Robert was appointed Temporary Lieutenant and, on 19 August 1915, he was promoted to Lieutenant (Acting Captain). He was promoted to Captain on 17 September 1915. Robert was the officer in command of C Company. 

On 7 October 1917 the 1/7th Battalion moved to Canal Bank, near Poelcapelle, in preparation for the attack due to begin at dawn on 9 October. C Company were to lead the attack on the right. The attack began with a barrage and once the barrage opened up the battalion was subjected to heavy rifle and machine-gun fire: much of this came from the direction of Vacher Farm, south-east of Poelcappelle. The advance continued for about 300 yards, when, about 5.45 a.m., it was held up. By this time eight of the 12 officers involved in the attack had become casualties. Around 7.30 a.m. under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, the German’s broke on the left and many prisoners were taken. By 11.16 a.m. Adler Farm had been captured. The battalion held their positions during the night of 9-10 October. 

The battalion’s casualties for 9 – 10 October were:
Officers: five killed, five wounded
Other ranks: 54 killed, 136 wounded, 22 missing 

Robert was killed in action on 9 October. He was buried near Vacher Farm at map reference to the  V.26.d.5.0. By 1921 he had been reburied at Poelcappele British Cemetery.

Robert is commemorated on the war memorial at Halesowen Grammar School and on the Nassington War Memorial.