The untold story of the soldier killed the very moment peace was declared...
During the minute’s silence on Armistice Day tomorrow, spare a thought for First World War soldier Robert Bulmer Chatt, from Barnard Castle.
Robert had taken part in the epic battles at Gallipoli where thousands of allied soldiers died in scenes of devastation that we can only imagine. The 25-year-old survived the death and the carnage of that campaign and was posted to France. The sapper in the Northumberland Fusiliers had worked as an engine cleaner with his father before the war and his experience led him to be trained to drive locomotives.
The very hour peace was declared at 11am, on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the locomotive Robert was driving near Arras, in France, crashed. He died instantly in that freak accident, never to see peace.
This heartbreaking story has been unearthed by the amazing work being done by volunteers helping The Bowes Museum’s project, which aims to finish a Teesdale roll of honour started 100 years ago.
You’ll find Robert’s name on Startforth's memorial, like so many on village monuments across the country.
We won’t forget;-History Information

Margaret Patricia Robertson