Military History

Herberts original service number was 1847 (see medal card) and that was issued between 16th January 1913 when 1709 was issued and 16th April 1914 when 2196 was issued.

Herbert is lised as being killed in action on 1 Jul 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme when the 1st/8th Battalion took part in the attack on Beaumont Hamel.The war diary entry for 1 Jul 1916 is transcribed below:

Sucerie Front of Mailly Mailly - 1/17/1916: 2.0am: Battalion reported present in forming up trenches

4.30am to 7.0am: Reported that everyone had a good breakfast. Artillery bombardment was intense and a not a lot of retaliation from the Bosch. Artillery increased in intensity & enemy replying with Field Guns & 15cm [guns].

7.0am Very intense artillery on both sides

7.25am: Enemy machine guns opened all along the line. Three minutes later our troops are lying on parapet ready to advance.

7.30am: Advance begins. Enemy first line reached and passed very quickly as also was the second. Only in one or two cases were any enemy in these two lines. Having plenty of casualties from machine gun fire in enemy third and fourth lines. As the third line men were temporarily held up by machine gun fire but took it by rushes.

From this point the fighting was all with bombs along trenches. We reached our objective probably 35-40 minutes from zero hour (7.30am) and at once began consolidating and cleaning up under the direction of Capt Martin & 2/Lt Turner. By this time the next battalion was arriving but has so many casualties that they could not go through us so helping consolidating.

This happened with all Battalions following us. Many times we were bombed from this position and regained it until bombs ran out. We had to retire to the third line parapet and hold on with machine & rifle fire. Parties were detailed to collect as many bombs as could be found (both English and German) and when we had a good store we again reached our objective. No supply of bombs were coming from the rear so could not hold on and retired again.

Enemy machine guns and snipers were doing a great amount of damage all the while. Enemy artillery opened but fortunately their range was over. Held on to this position until relieved by a battalion from rear. Al through the action no troops were seen on our right or left. This had a great deal to do with the inability to push past our objective

11pm: Arrived at Mailly Mailly and were put into billets. END

On the day the Battalion suffered 588 casualties including Herbert.

A full description of the days events can be read by clicking here to read A Short Description of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel - 8th Battalion The Royal Warwickshire Regiment by Brigadier-General W.R. Ludlow C.B.