Military History

Herbert is listed as being killed in action on 21st March 1918, having initially been one of 608 Officers and Men reported as missing on what was the first day of the German Spring Offensive. The 2nd/6th Battalion war diary entries for the period 19th March 1918 to 22nd March 1918 are transcribed below.

Bullecourt – 19 Mar 1918: The Battalion relieved the 2^nd/5^th Battalion Lincoln Regiment in the Bullecourt sector. Relief completed at 9pm.

Bullecourt – 20 Mar 1918: No entry was made in the war diary on this day.

Bullecourt – 21 Mar 1918 - 5am:  Enemy opened exceptionally heavy barrage on the front, support and reserve lines with shells of every calibre. The enemy attacked in large numbers and broke through on the right flank of the Battalion ad reached the Hogs Back completely cutting off the Battalion.

Casualties: Officers Killed – Lt. Col TBH Thorne and Other Ranks 3. Wounded Capt. F.E. Foley and 8 other ranks. Missing 22 Officers and 586 other ranks.

2/Lt’s Stearn and Burton-Smith collected a party of men from transport lines and reported to Major H.M.C. Curtis DSO 2^nd/6^th Bn South Staffs Regt who formed a composite Battalion. This Battalion held the line at Mory East.

Capt D.C.B Cotes assumed command of the Battalion

18.40: QM Stores, Details and Transport lines moved by march route to Courcelles-les-Comte.

Courcelles-les-Comte – 22 Mar 1918 – 1pm: QM Stores, Details and Transport lines moved by march route to Douchy.