No. 200007, Private, Robert HEFFER
Aged 38
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Robert was born in Eriswell (Mildenhall Q2-1880 4A:627), he was the son of William and Sarah HEFFER (née LEONARD) 1881 census...Aged 1 he was at Church Farm Loke (this is transcribed as lake, but 'loke is the correct word as it is a private road or path). He was living with his father William [28] an agricultural labourer, born in Beck Row, his mother Sarah [23] born in Eriswell; sister Sarah E [3] born in Wombwell, Yorkshire. They were at the house of George [70] and Sarah LEONARD [68] William and Sarah senior are recorded as son in law and daughter, Robert and his sister are recorded as nephew and niece. 1891 census...Aged 11, an errand boy, he was living at Cottage, Eriswell (which appears to be by Chruch Farm) with his parents, widower Grandfather George Leonard; sister Sarah E and new siblings James [8], Naomi [6], Emma [4] and Joseph [2 months] all born in Eriswell. 1901 census...Aged 21, in 1900 he had married in Hanwell,London born Apollonia Elizabeth BENSTEAD (Mildenhall Q4-1900 4A:1633)(b.27-1-1878) and was living with her at 43 Little London. Eriswell. 1911 census...Aged 31 he was a farm labourer, living in No 5 Eriswell with his wife and daughter Florence Naomi [9] born in Eriswell. The pension card has just one son, William Robert, born 16-11-1913. Daughter Florence would not be on a pension card, having reached the age of 16 years |
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The 2nd/4th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment were involved in fighting in 3rd Battle of Gaza at the time. Robert and a sergeant (who is buried in Beersheba) were the only two killed in the battalion that day. |
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