Robert Harvey Larkman

• Robert Harvey Larkman a soldier lost and found.
Robert left Victoria early 1900's. He was the only serving son of George and Catherine Larkman who had 12 children. Robert married Fanny Maria Scrivener on the13 May 1902, in the Christ Church, Claremont, Western Australia. They had 5 sons 3 daughters. Robert and Fanny separated when Walter (Wally, our father) was about 3 and they later divorced. Robert then enlisted in the Army on the 6th Jan 1916 and served in the16th & 48th Bn Regimental number 5131. Robert was wounded in Action 9th Aug 1917 and embarked for Australia aboard the Port Denison on the 11th Jan 1918. Robert arrived in Albany WA 26th Feb 1918 and was discharged 15th Mar 1918. Robert died aged 68, in the arms of his daughter Jean, on the 8th October 1943, East Kouduh, Western Australia. Robert was buried in an unmarked grave in the Wongan/Ballidu Cemetery in Western Australia.
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• During the 100th year ANZAC celebrations Robert’s grandson Robert James Larkman (Bob my brother), found the grave site accidently. Bob was working for the Wongan Hills Shire who were painstakingly identifying who had been laid to rest in the unmarked graves when it came to light that a Robert Larkman had been buried there. Bob was asked if he was related. It was establish that Robert was our grandfather. An application was made to the department of Veterans Affairs who found Robert was indeed worthy of a soldier’s memorial headstone which placed on the grave in 2015. Robert Harvey Larkman who was laid to rest in 1943 was now recognised for his service to our country and has a designated place of his own.