| Robert Lyttle was the eldest son of James and Isabella Lyttle. James Lyttle married Isabella Henry in 18th April 1882 in the district of Cookstown.
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| Robert Lyttle was born in Moneymore on 8th December 1884. He was the second of five children.
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| Family: James Lyttle, Isabella Lyttle, Annie Lyttle (born 2nd February 1883), Robert Lyttle (born 8th December 1884), Margaret Letitia Lyttle (born 21st November 1886), Archibald Lyttle (born 1st March 1890), James Lyttle (born 7th February 1893).
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| The 1901 census does not list Robert as living with the family at house 7 in Ballymully, Moneymore, County Londonderry. The family lived with James’s brother Archie. They were farmers.
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| The 1911 census does not list Robert as living with the family at house 11 in Ballymully, Moneymore. Only Robert’s brother Archibald remained at home.
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| Robert Lyttle emigrated to Canada.
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| 1916
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| Prior to enlisting, Robert was living at 361 Ontario Street, Toronto, Ontario. He was working as a labourer and machinist.
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| Robert Lyttle enlisted at Valcartier Camp in Quebec on 12th September 1916, aged 31. He listed his father, James Lyttle, who was still living in Ballymully, as his next of kin.
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| Private Lyttle left for England from Halifax, Canada on 27th September 1916. They disembarked at Liverpool, England on 6th October.
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| Private Lyttle left for France from Netley on 28th November 1916.
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| 1917
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| Private Robert Lyttle was serving with the 14th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry when he was killed by enemy shell fire near Vimy Railway Station on Saturday 2nd June 1917. He was 32 years old.
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| From the Belfast Newsletter dated 18th June 1917:
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| A memorial service in connection with the death in action of Private Robert Lyttle, Canadian Forces (son of Mr James Lyttle, Ballymully), was held in St John’s Parish Church, Moneymore, yesterday. The rector, Rev J R McKim, M.A., made touching reference to the deceased, who had formerly belonged to the parish church. At the conclusion of the service the Dead March in Saul was plated by the organist, Mrs Byrne, the congregation standing.
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| 1918
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 8th June 1918:
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| LYTTLE – In sad but loving memory of Private Robert Lyttle, British Expeditionary Forces, killed in action on 2nd June 1917.
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‘A faithful soldier of Christ
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We were not there to say goodbye.
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Your loving face we could not see;
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But as long as life and memory lasts
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We will remember thee'
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| Inserted by his sorrowing sister and brother-in-law, Letitia and George Smith, Carradarragh, Moneymore
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 8th June 1918:
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| LYTTLE – In sad but loving memory of Private Robert Lyttle, British Expeditionary Forces, killed in action on 2nd June 1917.
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| Inserted by his sorrowing father and mother, his sister Annie, and brothers Archie and James, Ballygrooby, Moneymore
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‘Faithful until death.’
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| Last Will and Testament
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| In his will Robert left all to his mother.
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| Memorials
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| Private Robert Lyttle is buried in Vimy Communal Cemetery. Vimy is a village about 10 kilometres north-north-east of Arras in France.
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| The group of five headstones together are those of the five men of the Quebec Regiment who were killed that day. The others being George Hubert Leyland, John Cowen, Moxley Moffett and Roy Myers.
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