| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Herbert died from head injuries on 17 Aug 1916 following an accident in France. He was a 23 year old Gunner and then Driver with the Hull Ammunition column, attached to 32nd Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery. The ward sister wrote to Herbert's mother from 13th Stationary Hospital, Boulogne that "he was never conscious after being admitted to my ward and passed away very quietly". He was buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.
Herbert was the younger of two sons born to William and Sabina Hunsley living in Norwood, Beverley. William was a joiner and cowkeeper, a member of Beverley Cow Keepers' Association. Herbert was baptised in St Mary's Church and went to St Mary's school. He appeared in the local press when, aged 12 and a member of the school swimming team, he went to Leeds to compete in the Championship of North Eastern Counties. The team won the Shield and the school were given a half day's holiday.
Herbert was working as a farm labourer/cattleman living with his parents at 78 Norwood in 1911, by December 1915, he was in France and was entitled to the 1915 Star together with the British and Victory medals.
Herbert's father had died in 1914 and was buried in St Mary's churchyard on New Walk. The beautifully engraved gravestone records not only his death but also that of his wife, Sabina who died in 1928 and his son Herbert who died of wounds in France. Herbert is remembered on a number of memorials in Beverley including the Norwood Street Shrine where his name appears alongside a number of his Hunsley cousins.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |