Military History

Herbert is listed as being killed in action on 10 Jul 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. The war diary entry covering the operations of 9th & 10th of July is transcribed below (please note that some of the handwriting was more difficult to read than normal).

July 9^th – 7.20pm: Orders given that Bn will take Quadrangle Support Trench

11.18pm. Quadrangle support trench taken with the burn it by the 8th South Staffordshire Regt in face of M.G & rifle fire and bombs. Lincoln's up Penil Alley make no headway but Bn almost by leaving the trench altogether gained about 100 yards but had many casualties. 50th Bde on right of S Staffords failed utterly the battalion was then exposed on its right and left. OC S Staffords never realised for one moment that Regt on right, after an initial attempt would be content to sit down and do nothing for the rest of the night. Germans started heavy counter attack with bombs from the right this was held off by B Coy under 2 Lieut Whitehead assisted by 2 Lieut S. Baker and T H Baker.

Pioneer Coy which was to have built a firing point in Quadrangle support lost its way although within 500 yards of Quadrangle Trench and did not arrive until 2:30 PM. OC Staffords sent 6 separate runners to find it. MG’s from Contalmaison played heavily into the left rear of Quadrangle Support Trench.

July 10^th – 2.45am: owing to fire off troops on right and left the Bn would have been left in ? exposed on its right and left flanks & to MG fire from its left rear and the CO accordingly gave instructions to withdraw to Quadrangle Trench bringing all wounded men back. This was affected by 3.30am.

Casualties were 16 officers and 200 OR’s.

During day attack delivered by other Bn’s on Contalmaison and Mametz Wood.

10pm: Sherwoods occupied Quadrangle Support Trench which was no longer held.

Fresh orders re relief, Capt Burnett sent up to supervise this.

11pm: Relief completed, Battn marches by Coys to Dernacourt

July 11^th - 2.15am: Rest there for the day. Casualties in above operations 25 officers and 320 other ranks. END