| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Herbert was born in 1881 according to the 1911 census in Norwich but another source has him born in Hull but then fostered as a “nurse child”. Nothing is known of his parents or siblings. Herbert joined the regular army as a private in the 2nd Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment and it is possible he served in the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa with them from 1899-1902.
Herbert was posted to Victoria Barracks, Beverley and on 1 Mar 1908 he married Elizabeth Gooding at Beverley Minster. Elizabeth was born in Tynemouth in 1885.She lived at Victoria Barracks with her parents, her father Alfred Gooding, born in Ireland, was an army pensioner who served in the Army Service Corps undertaking labouring duties.
The couple’s first child, May, was born in Beverley in 1909 they then moved to the Colchester garrison. Their second child, Joseph, was born in Beverley in August 1912; it is possible that by this time Herbert had joined the Reserve. They lived at 2 Hobson’s Yard, off North Bar Within. Their third child, Lily, was born in May 1915.
Herbert served in the 12th Battalion of the West Yorkshires, reaching the rank of corporal. He arrived in France on 12 Nov 1915. As part of 3rd Division, the 12th took part in the early stages of the Battle of the Somme in 1916. On 14 Jul 1916 they attacked up Caterpillar Valley towards Bazentin-le-Grand. It was a successful action; but over 250 were killed or wounded, including Herbert whose body was not recovered.
Herbert is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial on the Somme in France. He was awarded the 1915 Star and the War and Victory Medals. He is commemorated on the Hengate Memorial and on Beverley Minster’s East Riding Memorial. His name is also on St Mary’s Roll of Honour.
His family continued to reside in Beverley. |