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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Robert Henry Thatcher

In memory of:

Lance Corporal Robert Henry Thatcher

June 3, 1916

Military Service


Service Number:

22796

Age:

23

Force:

Army

Unit:

Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)

Division:

15th Bn.

Additional Information


Son of Eliza Ellen Thatcher, of Compton, Newbury, England, and the late Robert Thatcher.

Commemorated on Page 172 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

Panel 18 - 24 - 26 - 30

Location:


The Menin Gate Memorial is situated at the eastern side of the town of Ypres (now Ieper) in the Province of West Flanders, on the road to Menin and Courtrai. It bears the names of 55,000 men who were lost without trace during the defence of the Ypres Salient in the First World War. Designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and erected by the Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission, it consists of a Hall of Memory", 36.6 metres long by 20.1 metres wide. In the centre are broad staircases leading to the ramparts which overlook the moat, and to pillared loggias which run the whole length of the structure. On the inner walls of the Hall, on the side of the staircases and on the walls of the loggias, panels of Portland stone bear the names of the dead, inscribed by regiment and corps. Carved in stone above the central arch are the words:


TO THE ARMIES OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE WHO STOOD HERE FROM 1914 TO 1918 AND TO THOSE OF THEIR DEAD WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE.

Over the two staircases leading from the main Hall is the inscription:

HERE ARE RECORDED NAMES OF OFFICERS AND MEN WHO FELL IN YPRES SALIENT BUT TO WHOM THE FORTUNE OF WAR DENIED THE KNOWN AND HONOURED BURIAL GIVEN TO THEIR COMRADES IN DEATH.

The dead are remembered to this day in a simple ceremony that takes place every evening at 8:00 p.m. All traffic through the gateway in either direction is halted, and two buglers (on special occasions four) move to the centre of the Hall and sound the Last Post. Two silver trumpets for use in the ceremony are a gift to the Ypres Last Post Committee by an officer of the Royal Canadian Artillery, who served with the 10th Battery, of St. Catharines, Ontario, in Ypres in April 1915."

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Badge– Cap Badge 12th Bn CEF.  LCpl Thatcher enlisted in the 12th Bn but was transferred to the 15th Bn (48th Highlanders as a reinforcement.
  • Cap Badge of the 15th– Cap Badge 15th Bn (48th Highlanders of Canada).   Submitted by Capt V Goldman, 15th Bn Memorial Project.  DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Shoulder patch– Shoulder Patch 15th Bn (48th Highlanders of Canada).   Submitted by Capt V Goldman, 15th Bn Memorial Project.  DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Record of Service– Record of Service Card(front side).  Courtesy 48th Highlanders of Canada Regimental Museum.  Submitted by 15th Bn Memorial Project Team.  DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Memorial– The memorial on Observatory Ridge was unveiled and dedicated on 22 October 2011 to commemorate the actions of the 15th Battalion CEF (48th Highlanders of Canada) on 3 June 1916 during the Battle of Mount Sorrel.  Photo by BGen (ret) G Young and submitted by Capt (ret) V Goldman of the 15th Bn Memorial Project.
  • Memorial Plaque– The memorial on Observatory Ridge was unveiled and dedicated on 22 October 2011 to commemorate the actions of the 15th Battalion CEF (48th Highlanders of Canada) on 3 June 1916 during the Battle of Mount Sorrel.  Photo by BGen (ret) G Young and submitted by Capt (ret) V Goldman of the 15th Bn Memorial Project.
  • Inscription on Menin Gate– Menin Gate panel where Lance Corporal Robert Thatcher is commemorated.  Photo by BGen Young (ret) and submitted by Capt (ret) V Goldman of the 15th Bn Memorial Project.  DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Memorial– Inscription on the Menin Gate … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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