| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Herbert Blanchard was born in Hornsea the 28 Oct 1897, the son of John William Blanchard, a gardener, and Elizabeth. The family moved to 3 Ocean Terrace, Southgate, Hornsea. Herbert attended the National School, Hornsea from 10 Sep 1900, until the day before his fourteenth birthday in 1911. Herbert was baptised at St Nicholas Church, Hornsea on 6 Sep 1915. The entry in the baptismal register states Herbert was employed as a footman at Grimsthorpe Castle, Bourne, Lincolnshire (the home of the Earls of Ancaster). Three months later, Herbert joined the Army.
Herbert, living in Paddington, London, enlisted on 3 Dec 1915 at Buckingham Gate, London with the 2nd/14th (London Scottish) and served in the 179th Brigade in the 60th Division. The Battalion went to Ireland before embarkation for Le Havre on 21 Jun 1916. After five months in France, 2nd/14th (London Scottish) was ordered to Salonika in Nov 1916. Leaving Salonika, they joined the Egyptian Expeditionary Force for operations in Palestine. From Oct 1917 into Spring 1918, they fought successively in the Third Battle of Gaza; the Capture of Beersheba; the Capture and Defence of Jerusalem and the Capture of Jericho. Between Mar and Apr 1918 they were engaged in the Trans-Jordan Raids. Private Herbert Blanchard was seriously wounded during the 2nd Trans-Jordan Raid. He died of his wounds in the 2nd/14th Field Ambulance, Palestine, on 30 Apr 1918. He was buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery, overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem, at the foot of the Mount of Olives and near the Garden of Gethsemane. He was twenty-one years old.
Herbert Blanchard's name is inscribed on the 2nd/14th (London Scottish) War Memorial at their London Headquarters, also at the Scottish War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle. In Yorkshire, his name is remembered in St Nicholas' Church, Hornsea and on the Hornsea War Memorial.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |