The action during which Robert was killed was an attempt to rescue 120 soldiers of 97th Brigade - a mixture of Highland Light Infantry, 11th Borders and 2nd King's Own Yorkshire Regiment who had become stranded in Frankfurt Trench after capturing it several days earlier.
240 men of 16th Lancashire Fusiliers and 60 from 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers took part in the rescue attempt. Royal Inniskillings were to protect the right flank while 2 waves of Lancs. Fusiliers were to attack and hold Munich Trench. A third wave was to push on and reach the stranded soldiers. The rescue attempt failed. There were 231 casualties.
An account of events is at
https://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/articles/a-victim-of-the-sommeThis features George Higginson, officer leading the third wave of Lancs. Fusiliers.
62 Lancashire Fusiliers died on 23rd November and others died of wounds later.
Some of Robert's comrades who died on that day are buried near him; Ernest Brererton, William Connelly, Ernest Rigby and John Cottam. Private Robert Henry Hill, aged 19, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers is in the grave next to Robert Hesketh. On the other side is a soldier of the Borders regiment.
