Military History

Herbert is listed as being killed in action on 2nd September 1915. His War Grave record shows that he was original buried at map reference 28.I.16.b.1.7 and that his remains were moved to La Brique in December 1921. The map reference is just outside the SSE boundary of Ypres and N of Zillebeke - See map below

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The 1st Battalion war diary entries for the period 1st to 3rd September are transcribed below.

near Hooge - 01 Sep 1915: Our heavy artillery bombarded German lines from daylight to 4.30a.m. Enemy retaliated by shelling heavily crater and surrounding trenches. Trenches were very much damaged. All telephone wires to front trenches were cut. Communication trenches were blown in places, and supports shelled.

Casualties 4 killed 26 wounded and Capt C D V Cary-Barnard DSO, 2nd Lieut F W N Jeans, 2nd Lieut C A Prest, 2nd Lieut R W Bird wounded.

near Hooge - 02 Sep 1915: Our artillery bombarded German line from 3.55a.m. enemy retaliated immediately and kept up an intermittent fire throughout the day. Five trenches were blown in one or two places. Enemies fire increased in the afternoon and the Bde was asked for retaliation; this was arranged by the Corps. At about 3p.m. our artillery opened a very heavy fire on the German lines. The enemy evidently expected an attack and concentrated an intense fire on crater and front trenches, the CTs were swept with shrapnel and in many places blown in by heavy shells. All lines were cut. C Coy were occupying crater trenches. A Coy the left Section with 2 platoons in support.

These 2 platoons were moved up to reinforce the firing line and 2 platoons from B Coy were pushed up into crater. This adjustment was carried out without casualties. The men were moved up communication trenches in small parties. The dugouts in the crater were wrecked by trench mortars and heavy casualties sustained here. The fire trenches on the left were obliterated and the main CT completely blown in many places.

At dark B coy relieved C Coy and D Coy were sent up to work at repairing the firing line. Heavy rain all night. Very little rifle fire.

Casualties, other ranks 14 killed 38 wounded 2 missing, believed killed. (These 2 platoons were moved up by 2nd Lieut Macklin with great skill, under heavy bombardment, suffered no casualties. 2nd Lieut Snelgar was in command of A Coy).

near Hooge - 03 Sep 1915: Heavy rain all day. Enemy's infantry very quiet. Following message received from General Haldane:- "Convey to Wiltshire Regt my appreciation of stout hearted manner they stood bombardment yesterday. Regret heavy casualties". Our artillery shelled enemy's trenches in the early morning. They replied by firing our fire trenches, supports and communication trenches.

Relieved by RIR. Relief completed 1a.m. Battn returned to ramparts at YPRES

Casualties 3 wounded.