Trafford

Born at Kilmarnock, Ayreshire in 1891, the eldest son of Robert & Jane
Wallis Highet (nee Wallis).   

1901 Census - No Trace.

1911 Census - No Trace.

WO 363 - Enlisted at Manchester on the ?? September 1914, aged: 23 years 3
months.  Occupation: Accountant.  Born at Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.  Previously
served in the 1st V.B. Royal Scots Fusiliers and the 4th Bn, Royal Scots
Fusiliers.    5 feet 5 1/2 inches in height, weighed 124 lb.  Chest
measurement 32 to 34 1/2 inches.  Eyes: Blueish Grey - Hair: Dark -
Complexion: Fresh.   Tattoo on left forearm.   Appointed as Acting Sergeant
on the 28th September 1914.   Granted Proficiency Pay, Class I at 6d on the
18th February 1915.   Confirmed as Sergeant on the 4th November 1915.  
Promoted to Company Sergeant Major on the 5th November 1915.

Posted to France, he embarked at Southampton on the 8th January 1916.   
Next of Kin - Father, Robert Highet, Roseneath, Wilton Road, Higher
Crumpsall, Manchester.  By October 1919 his parents resided at Boscobel,
Northenden Road, Sale.  Also listed were two brothers - William Highet and
Michael ??? Highet.  [I believe it to be Michael, but it's not clear].
See "Manchester Scottish" by Roger Dowson.

SDGW lists him as Robert Hignet.    Name appears on the 2nd W.W. Cenotaph
plaque - not the 1st W.W. plaque ???

On the 1st July, the 15th Bn attacked from a forward trench line running NW
to SE, south of La Boiselle down to Becourt Wood.  Their objective was four
German trench lines in front of Contalmaison.    After the Lochnagarr and
the La Boiselle mines were blown, they went over the top to be met by
murderous German machine gun fire.    Although the Germans had been
subjected to an enormous barrage of shell fire for a week previous, they
were all well hidden deep underground and simply surfaced when the barrage
ended to man the machine guns. 

At the time of his death, his parents lived at Roseneath, Wilton Rd,
Crumpsall; later moving to Boscobel, Northenden Road, Sale.

CWGC - Son of Robert & Jeanie Highet of Lynwood Villas, Broad Road, Sale.

Pension Records - Dependent: Mother - Mrs. Jeanie Highet, Boscobel,
Northenden Road, Sale.   It lists both her sons on the one record card.

His brother - William Wallis Highet was also killed during WW1.