Robert Alfred Ebarhart

This story is shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher. Photo source: julia&keld, FindaGrave.com

Robert Alfred Ebarhart was born in the 4th September 1924 in the Wandsworth registration district, London, the son of William & Annie Jane Ebarhart (née Mills), who had married in St. Peter’s Church in the parish of Battersea, London on the 29th of November 1919. William Ebarhart, 24, a bachelor and Carman, of 130, Speke Road, the son of Robert Ebarhart, Labourer, married Annie Jane Mills, 22, a spinster of 130, Speke Road, whose father, Alfred Mills, was a Tin Smith.

Robert's father, William, had served in the First World War. He enlisted at East Dulwich as a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery, his service reckoning from the 19th of April 1915. He served in France from the 12th of December 1915 and was discharged on demobilisation on the 31st of March 1920.

The first time we see the young married couple is on the 1921 census, which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, when we find them living at 9, Britannia Place, Battersea, London. William Ebarhart, 26 years, was a Carman for the Bridges Concreter Contractors, 131, Putney Bridge Road, but was out of work at the time of the census. Annie Ebarhart, 23 years, born in Battersea was doing Home Duties. They had one son, William Ebarhart Jnr, aged 5 months.

The 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939 shows the family had grown. They were living with William’s widowed father, Robert, at 59 Seldon House, Nine Elms, Battersea. Robert Ebarhart, a Pensioner, was head of the household. William Ebarhart, was a Carman and Annie Ebarhart was doing Unpaid Domestic Duties. William R. Ebarhart Jnr, was working as a Coal Merchant and Robert A. Ebarhart Jnr was working as Pastry Maker.

Sadly, I have no other information on Robert Ebarhart, neither his early or teen years, but he must have either enlisted or was conscripted and was to find himself fighting in the Battle of Normandy and laid down his life for our freedom. He was serving in the 7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment who landed on the Normandy beaches near le Hamel on the 22nd June 1944.

They were initially held in reserve, but on 10th July they were given the task of capturing and holding the village of Maltot and the woods beyond. This entailed a long advance down a slope with little cover and in full view of the enemy. The 7th Battalion attacked at 8.15am supported by tanks but as they advanced towards Maltot, they met fierce opposition and sustained heavy casualties. Part of the Battalion managed to enter the village where they attempted to secure defensive positions but they then ran into a very strongly defended enemy position with Tiger tanks concealed and dug in on the outskirts of the village. Consequently, the enemy were able to counter attack strongly and the situation for the companies in the village became hopeless. Although help came from reinforcements, they eventually had to withdraw. The casualties suffered were high. 18 officers and 208 other ranks who were killed, wounded or missing.

One of those who was wounded was Robert Ebarhart. He was evacuated back to the UK but he died of his wounds on the 30th of July 1944. Robert’s death was registered in East Glamorgan so he was possibly sent to East Glamorgan County Hospital, Albert Road, Pontypridd. In 1944 the hospital was very active in taking the casualties from D-Day, mostly sent on from RAF Wroughton Hospital.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Robert Ebarhart. If you are aware of one, or you are related to Robert, we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.