Private Hector Arthur 'Bobby' Roberts

Hector Arthur Roberts was born at Stanmore, New South Wales, in October 1887 to parents George Roberts and Mary C. Roberts.

The enlistment form for Roberts shows his Christian names as Hector Arthur and reveals his occupation in 1915 as an actor. In 1910 Roberts was performing with the Royal Comic Opera Company in Sydney, and was noted as being a talented golfer, field shot and photographer.

Roberts enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) at Liverpool, New South Wales, on 7 June 1915. He was initially attached to a field hospital at Liverpool before joining 8th Field Ambulance in September 1915. Roberts embarked from Melbourne on the troopship Ascanius for Alexandria in Egypt on 10 November 1915. He sailed from Egypt on 17 June 1916, and arrived in France on 23 June.

In March 1917, Roberts was attached to the 1st Anzac Corps Headquarters and commenced duty with the Corps concert party, joining the divisional Pierrot Troupe, the “Anzac Coves”. Roberts is recorded in the Anzac Cove programs as a comedienne, performing as a female impersonator. During his time with the Anzac Coves, Roberts performed in multiple concerts. These included the pantomime “Dick Whittington and his Cat” in France 1917 and a royal performance at Buckingham Palace in August 1918.

Other than for a month in hospital in Paris with influenza in November 1918, Roberts remained with the Anzac Coves until he rejoined the 8th Field Ambulance in January 1919. In March 1919 he was repatriated to England in order to return to Australia and embarked on the troopship Leicestershire in May 1919. Roberts arrived in Australia on 22 June 1919 and was discharged on 14 August 1919.

Following his discharge from the AIF, Roberts continued as a female impersonator and singer in Australia under the name Bobby Roberts. In February 1920, Roberts was a member of a troupe performing in Sydney with former members of the Anzac Coves and Digger Pals concert parties. Roberts joined the “Smart Set Diggers” theatrical troupe in 1920 which toured Australia and New Zealand during 1920 and 1921. In March 1922, Roberts is recorded performing as a tenor in a musical revue in Newcastle, New South Wales. During 1925 he directed “The Optimists Revue Company” which entertained the personnel of the American Fleet which visited New South Wales that year.

In 1928, Roberts produced a program presented by “The Serenaders” of songs and comedy sketches which was performed at the Theatre Royal in Brisbane. In August, the same year, Roberts appeared with other former Anzac Cove members in “The A.I.F. Comedy Company”.

From 1930 to 1963 electoral records reveal Roberts using the name Hector Augustine Roberts, with the occupation of salesman in Sydney although he continued performing and producing. In April 1931, Roberts performed in a radio broadcast “Anzac Night”. In June 1932, Roberts arranged and produced the musical revue, Dots and Dashes, by the “Golden Jubilee Follies” for the St Joseph’s Literary, Debating and Social Society at Newtown in Sydney, followed by “Bits and Pieces” in 1933. During this period he was producing shows for J. C. Williamson Limited, a large theatre production company. In April 1941 Holt appeared in the production “Tipperary Days” at the Palace Theatre, Sydney.

Hector Arthur ‘Bobby” Roberts died on 8 August 1968 at the age of 81.