Main CPGW Record
Surname: FAY
Forename(s): Robert
Place of Birth: Padiham, Lancashire
Service No: 1748
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: East Lancashire Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 1/4th Battalion
Division: 42nd (East Lancashire) Division
Age: 27
Date of Death: 1915-08-27
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 114 to 118.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Robert Fay was the son of John and Annie Fay, née Whalley and brother of Private John Fay (1706) (q.v.) and step-brother of Private Albert Deacey (39687) (q.v.). Both of Robert's parents were born at Blackburn, Lancashire.
1891 Padiham, Lancashire Census: 21, Palmerston Street - Robert Fay, aged 1 year, born Padiham, son of John and Annie Fay.
1901 Blackburn, Lancashire Census: 42, Pickup Street - Robt Fay, aged 11 years, born Padiham, Lancashire. [Robert and his parents were living with his father's mother, Sarah Fay, widow.]
1911 Blackburn, Lancashire Census: 25, Hannah Street - Robert Fay, aged 21 years, born Padiham, Lancashire, son of John and [stepson of] Jane Fay [née Deacey].
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Robert Fay, 1748, East Lancashire Regiment. Theatre of War first served in: 2B [Balkans]. Date of entry therein: 9 May 1915.
Robert is commemorated in the 'Blackburn Roll of Honour 1914-1918'.
A short biography of Robert is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
Photograph: ‘Burnley Express’ (25 September 1915).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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Private Robert FAY
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: East Lancashire Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 42nd (East Lancashire) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
24 September 1915
KILLED IN GALLIPOLI
Official news has been received by Mr. Robert W. Whalley, 16, Arthur Street, Barnoldswick, of the death of his grandson, Private Robert Fay 4th East Lancashire Regiment, who was killed in action in the Dardanelles about a month ago. Deceased, who was a native of Blackburn, had two brothers serving in the same regiment, one of whom has been missing since June. Another brother (Private Henry Fay, whose wife and child reside at the above address) is with the 6th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in France.
Private Herbert Fay, A.S.C. and Private John Fay, East Lancashire’s, are well known in Barnoldswick, where they worked prior to joining the colours.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
19 March 1915
BARNOLDSWICK NEWS
A Letter from Egypt: The Sphynx “All Right”
In a letter from Egypt, Private Bob Fay, a Barnoldswick young man, gives an account of his experiences in that country. His communication is written from Cairo Young Men’s Christian Association headquarters with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Zeitoun Camp, Egypt, and Private Fay informs his grandfather, Mr. Robert W. Whalley of 16 Arthur Street, Barnoldswick, that he had already seen many of the ‘sights’ of Egypt that gentleman had written to his grandson about. He was charmed with the interior of the Mohammedan Mosque, in which there is said to be a thousand lights. The floor is all marble and the pillars are made of alabaster, whilst a romance concerning the beautiful edifice is that its architect was killed, some said murdered, immediately the work was completed.
Private Fay said he had been down the reputed Joseph’s Well and had seen what is said to be the Well of Moses. Whilst on their route marches, the company had inspected a fort which Napoleon was supposed to have built in a single day. Marching through the sand was not pleasant on account of the heat of the sun and the sandstorms, which were a great annoyance to all. The Sphinx and the Pyramids, Private Fay declared to be “all right”. There was a fine zoo at Cairo, and Egypt could boast the finest hotel in Heliopolis, though the building was now being used as a military hospital. The letter concludes with a reference to family affairs, and a proposed ‘ragtime’ at the conclusion of hostilities, for the writer, like other of the English soldiers at the front, is confident of his country’s abilities and his own power to “win through all right.”
27 August 1915
THREE BARNOLDSWICK GRANDSONS IN THE FIGHTING LINE
Mr Robert West Whalley of 16, Arthur Street, Barnoldswick, has received letters this week from three of his grandsons, each of whom is at the front. Privates Herbert and Harry Fay are well known in Barnoldswick, and before their enlistment were employed at the Westfield Mills. The other grandson, Private Robert Fay, lived in Blackburn, but was often in the Barnoldswick district, where he has many friends. He is in the East Lancashire Regiment, and is at present stationed ‘somewhere in Gallipoli’.
Driver Herbert Fay is attached the Army Service Corps, and writing from the Floriana Hospital, where he is recuperating from wounds, says he is expecting his discharge on furlough in about three weeks time, and reviewing his experiences in a brief sentence, says, “When I get home it will take me a week to tell you all that I have been through. I am jolly lucky to be living. How is the weaving? I don’t think I shall weave any more. I would sooner fight Turks than weave.”
An optimistic letter is also written by Private Harry Fay, of the 9th West Riding Regiment, attached to the 17th Base Infantry Depot.
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