Military History

Herbert is listed as being killed in action on 17th September 1916. The 1st/15th Battalion war diary entries for the period 16th to 18th are transcribed below.

High Wood - 16 Sep 1916: Morning quiet. Consolidation proceeded.

9am: 23^rd London Regt attacked from High Wood on west portion of Starfish and Cogh Drop. Practically annihilated by shell and machine gun fire. Day quiet, except for intermittent shelling of High Wood and Switch line by heavy howitzers.

9pm: Battalion moved up to take over Drop Alley, leading from Cough Drop to Flers line, on information that Flers Line east of Drop Alley was held by 6^th London Regiment. On arrival found that 6^th Battalion were NOT occupying Flers Line but were in Cough Drop. Battalion accordingly occupied Western half of Cough Drop and threw back defensive flank towards Starfish Lane and Prue Trench.

Night quiet. Consolidation of Cough Drop proceeded.

High Wood - 17 Sep 1916: Cough Drop heavily shelled. Consolidation proceeded. 2/Lt Townsend died of wounds.

High Wood - 18 Sep 1916: 6^th, 8^th & 15^th London Regiments attacked Flers Line between Drop Alley and Goose Alley (left of New Zealand Division). At same time 15^th London Regiment occupied Drop Alley and established block at it junction with Flers Line.

Zero 5.30am attack successful but owing to loss of direction, troops in Flers Line and Drop Alley did not quite join up. Several unsuccessful attempts made during day to link up.

12 noon: 6^th, 8^th and 15^th London Regts relieved in Flers Lines by 8^th Otago Battn, NZ Division & moved back to Drop Alley & Starfish.

6pm: Combined bombed down Drop Alley but was easily driven back.