Robert Edward Probert was one of two boys that were born to Robert and Alice Probert.
Robert Probert was a coal hewer who came from Brecon, Breconshire and was born there in about 1866. His wife Alice was born in Gloucestershire in about 1873.

John Probert - was born in Crumlin, Monmouthshire in about 1893
Robert Edward - was born in Pontypridd in 1897.

None of the family spoke anything but English.

News:

Nov 16^th 1918.

Mr and Mrs Probert, 19 Llanfabon Road, Nelson received the sad news on Friday that their youngest son, Private Robert E Probert, 12^th Welsh, was killed in action on November 2^nd. The sad news was conveyed in a letter from a chum of deceased who says that Private Probert was killed instantaneously by a shell which also wounded the company officer.
Private Probert was only 22years old, enlisted in October 1914 and had been on active service for over three years, taking part in most of the ‘big engagements’ and coming through without a scratch.

Nov 23^rd 1918.

Late Private Probert.

On Wednesday last week, Mr Probert, 19 Llanfabon Road, Nelson received the following letter from the officer who was wounded by the same shell that killed Mr Probert’s son, Private R E Probert, 12^th Welsh Regiment on November 2^nd, which shows the high esteem in which the deceased soldier was held and of the honour which had he lived, he so thoroughly merited.
The letter reads:
Streatham Hall hospital, Exeter, November 12^th 1918.

My Dear Mr Probert,
I’m ever so sorry to have to write this letter, but I feel I must. I expect you’ve heard by now that your son ‘Bob’ has been killed. We were together at the time (he was my servant), when a shell landed killing him and two others, and wounding myself.
I had recommended him for a decoration about a week before as I thought he had thoroughly earned it, and I hope it is granted.
He was killed in a house at EagleFontaine (Englefontaine), just to the west of Mormal forest, and was killed instantaneously, so he suffered no pain. I can assure you he will be buried well, probably in the cemetery at Poly-der-Nord (prob. Poix Du Nord) a village just behind Somy.
Yours very sincerely
Cyril I Williams.

[Source: Merthyr Express]