Photo Michelin Guide to Ypres 1919 Hooge

Menin Gate Memorial

Medal Index Card

War Diary entry 2nd October 1915

Robert Murray Kay was born on the 19th or 20th June 1893 in Kirkcaldy, and was the 2nd son of David Kay, Kirkcaldy who was a draper and his wife Margh, daughter of a Robert M. Burgess, of Leeds, Chartered Accountant. Robert was educated at Dunniker School and Kirkcaldy Higher Grade School. When he left School at 16, he went to work for the Clydesdale Bank, while there, he passed the examinations to become a Member of the Institute of Bankers in Scotland. In March 1914 he moved to National Provincial Bank, working at the North Shields branch. His manager there described him as all one could desire. Very good, takes an intelligent interest in his work, and means to get on.

He enlisted on the 5th September 1914, with 'B' Company, 9th Northumberland Fusiliers, and served in France and Flanders from June 1915.

Robert was killed in action at Hill 60, Loos on the 2nd October 1915.

Major [Lord] Howick, was the company commander of 'B' Company in the 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers wrote of him to his sister: His death removes from our ranks a man in whom all his officers had the most implicit confidence, and who would shortly have received a commission in recognition of his ability and character. There has been no opportunity as yet in this battalion for putting to the test the higher qualities of warfare, but if they be dormant in anyone, they were possessed by your brother. There was none we counted on more, none who performed his duty to his country more in accordance with his ideals.

He is not mentioned by name in the War Diary but he was killed just behind the front line in a communication trench.

The War Diary reads as follows:- "HILL 60 2nd October. 'B' Company started to occupy crater made by mine explosions in Trench 40. Whilst working in this crater incurred 3 casualties, 2nd Lieut L. R. Burrows, and Pte Ord being Killed and L/C Taylor wounded. 2nd Lieut Burrows was fatefully shot whilst going to the assistance of Pte Ord. The loss of such an excellent and promising officer was deeply felt by all ranks. Two other men were killed that day, one in Trench 40 and one in [the] communication trench. Owing to the proximity of the enemy lines, many rifle grenades and bombs were exchanged , but not much shelling took place with the exception of 7.7 The enemy opposite this line of trenches appeared to be very good troops with good morale and were very active [with] snipers".

Robert Murray Kay is remembered in Newcastle in NUT241 page 134, and NUT049

Note: Major Howick is also shown in the above Memorial on page 146. He is also in W7.09 page 3, as he was a director of Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson.

Hill 60
Hooge
RBS Remembers 1914-1918
The CWGC entry for Private Kay