Robert Taylor Heatley

The following profile was researched and compiled by Candice L. Buchanan and Glenn J. R. T. Toothman III, for www.RainDayBoys.com.

Birth: 7 May 1894 McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Parents: Richard Heatley and Mary Elizabeth Waters

Residence at time of enlistment: McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Physical description: Medium height, medium build, blue eyes, brown hair

Death: Killed in action 27 October 1918 France

Age at death: 24 years old

Last resting place: Hewitt's Cemetery, Rices Landing, Jefferson Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania

Military rank: Serial No. 242397. Private First Class.

45th Co., 12th Battalion, 155 Depot Brigade

Co. A, 1st Provisional Recruit Battalion

Co. D, 116th Supply Train

Co. G, 163rd Infantry

Co. D, 103rd Infantry

Additional information:

Robert's father, Richard Heatley, immigrated to the United States from Ireland in the 1880s. However, Robert's mother, Mary Elizabeth (Waters) Heatley, was born and reared in Greene County, Pennsylvania. It was no doubt under her influence that her son, and later her husband and herself, were laid to rest in Hewitt's Cemetery, where Robert's grandparents Aaron and Harriet (Horner) Waters also are buried. Though Robert grew up in McKeesport, where prior to enlistment, he worked in the steel mills, his family tree and closest relations were rooted in Greene County, where his memory is preserved.

SOURCES:

  • Hewitt's Cemetery (Jefferson Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania), Richard Heatley family tombstone; read and photographed by Candice Buchanan and Glenn Toothman, 15 April 2018.
  • "Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-1999," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1967 : accessed 22 April 2018), Robert T. Heatley; citing Greene County, Pennsylvania Bureau of Veterans Affairs Office.
  • "United States, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6482 : accessed 22 April 2018), Robert Taylor Heatley draft card, serial no. 1660; Local Draft Board 2nd precint, 10th ward, McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; citing National Archives microfilm publication M1509, FHL roll 1894019.
  • "WWI Veterans Service and Compensation Files, 1917-1919, 1934-1948," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60884 : accessed 22 April 2018), Elizabeth Heatley, mother of Robert Heatley - application no. 320303; citing World War I Veterans Service and Compensation File, 1934–1948 (RG 19, Series 19.91), Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.