Leaving a legacy to preserve his: Gill’s story

We were humbled to receive a generous Legacy in the Will of Gill Robilliard. With it, we can keep telling the story of her grandfather Captain James Hay. Here’s a little more information on Gill’s story.

Leaving a legacy to the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation

Gill Robilliard

Gill Robilliard sadly passed away earlier in 2024.

She lived a long, happy life on Guernsey, moving to the Channel Island as a young woman. She was married to John, a lifeboatman, and, as a keen animal lover, was employed as a veterinary nurse over a long successful career.

As well as animals, Gill also had a deep connection to the World Wars through her grandfather Captain James Henry Webster Hay.

Captain James Henry Webster Hay

Image: Captain James Henry Hay with his Brother Jack (courtesy of Rosemary Edge)

James Henry Webster Hay was born in Anstruther, Scotland in 1874.

A career military man, James joined the Seaforth Highlanders in 1890, aged 16, taking part in the fighting in Sudan in the Mahdist War of 1881-1899. 

Following this, he took up a position as Chief Clerk of the Military Records Office in Perth, before transferring to Fort George where he was appointed Quartermaster Sergeant.

James was discharged from the Army in 1912. He moved to Liverpool with his wife and three children.

At the outbreak of the First World War, James re-joined his old unit. He was gazetted as a Lieutenant in October 1914. 

James and his men were sent to the Western Front in May 1915. The following September, they were part of the bloody Battle of Loos, after which the Seaforth Highlanders were sent to man the trenches near Ypres, Belgium.

During a brief spell of leave, James bought home a carved wooden panel he had found in Ypres’ ruins. From the Belgian city, he wrote many letters that have become family heirlooms.

James was back at the front by November 1915. As part of the 9th Division, the Seaforth Highlanders were holding part of the line at Sanctuary Wood. 

The unit’s HQ was in the cellar of a ruined house near Zillebeke, aka Hellblast Corner for the nearby artillery positions that drew enemy fire.

From this base, the now Captain Hay and Lieutenant John Gubb of the Royal Engineers organised working parties along the Zellebeke front.

The 9th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, were billeted in huts and tents near Dikkebus within range of German artillery.

It seems James was struck by shrapnel while travelling with his colonel between Dikkebus and Zilbekke. Although his date of death is 30 November 1915, he likely succumbed to his wounds several days earlier.

Today, James is buried at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Gill & Captain Hay’s connection

Image: Gill at Captain Hay's war grave at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery (courtesy of Rosemary Edge)

Gill visited Captain Hay’s grave at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium, which is maintained by Commonwealth War Graves staff in perpetuity.

Inspired by our maintenance team’s work keeping Captain Hay’s war grave to the impeccable standards of Commonwealth War Graves, as well as the need to share and record her grandfather’s experiences, Gill became a lifelong supporter of our work.

When Gill passed, we were greatly humbled to receive a very generous gift left in her Will. 

With it, we will be able to keep Captain Hay’s memory alive and tell his story, alongside all 1.7 million men and women in Commonwealth War Grave’s care.

Our thanks to Rosemary Edge, Gill’s niece, for sharing her story and the story of Captain Hay. All images also shared by Rosemary Edge.

What does a legacy mean for the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation?

A gift in your Will helps us keep alive the stories and memories of the men and women who gave their lives in the World Wars.

Each of the 1.7 million men and women we commemorate had their own stories, their own families, friends, hopes, dreams, and lives.

They were someone’s brother, sister, son, daughter, or parent. They were members of our communities at home and abroad and for many, our connections to them are deeply personal.

A gift in your Will ensures we can continue to tell their stories through our various projects and initiatives designed to engage and inspire people up and down the country.

Leaving a legacy in your Will helps preserve theirs. 

How will we use your donation?

Legacies left to the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation fund our educational work and programmes in the UK.

Projects like our Speakers and Your Guides programme give us enormous outreach. Through it, we can engage with a wide variety of groups and organisations of all ages and demographics to spread the word about our work.

Elsewhere, the Guides programme gives young people the chance to work with us at key Commission memorials and cemeteries in France. While there, they become the frontline of the Commonwealth War Graves, meeting and greeting visitors, sharing the stories of those in our care, and keeping the flame alive for younger generations too.

But did you know…

• £10 could buy three hi-visibility vests to keep Eyes On, Hands On volunteers safe
• £25 could provide a welcome pack for one of Eyes On, Hands On volunteers to get them started in their role in helping us care for sites around the UK
• £40 could enable us to send one of our volunteer speakers to deliver an inspiring talk to a school or youth group
• £100 could contribute to the training of CWGC Guides so they are best able to welcome visitors, share the incredible stories of those we commemorate, and assist visitors on their journey of remembrance

In partnership with Bequeathed, Commonwealth War Graves can offer a free Will writing service. Visit the Legacies page for more information. 

Please Consider leaving a legacy with the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation

After you have taken care of your family and friends, we would be honoured if you would consider supporting the CWGF with a legacy. 

For us, the mission of preserving and telling the stories of the Commonwealth men and women who fell in the World Wars alive is vitally important. 

With your help we can ensure that their stories are remembered.

For more information and contact details for our fundraising team, please visit our Legacies page.