Military History

Herbert is listed as being killed in action on 19 Sep 1918 during the Battle of Epehy. The war diary for the 17th to 19th Sept is transcribed below.

In the field - 1918 – Sept 17: On the night of the 16^th the Battalion moved into jumping off positions in R.23 & R.24. Battalion Headquarters at Maissemy.

In the field - 1918 – Sept 18: At 4.50am Coys were formed up ready to follow our barrage. C & D Coys leading A&B Coys support. The K.R.R.C on the battalion left and the L. N. Lancs [Loyal North Lancashire Regt] on the right flank. The first objective was Villemay Trench from M.13.b.90.10 to M.20.b.30.80 a total distance of 1300 yards from jumping off position. A thick belt of wire was encountered in front of Villemay Trench on the enemy were holding the trench with a good number of machine guns. This caused a certain amount of delay but the trench was eventually captured and the number of prisoners taken.

Very little shellfire had been encountered up to this point, enemy machine guns causing most of the trouble, especially on the right D Coy point. A message from D Coy timed 9.50am informed Battalion Headquarters that Coy were consolidating position in front of Villemay Trench. Meantime C Coy had pushed forward followed by B Coy towards the second objective which was approximately Ledue Trench about 400 yards N.E of Berthaucourt. B Coy were reorganised by O.C. Battalion and pushed in position in support of C Coy. Right Coy then made progress followed at A Coy.

At 8.15am 2 platoons of A Coy were sent forward to reinforce C coy who had by this time reached sunken road running S.E. from Berthaucourt in M.9.c. Owing to right flank being exposed due to the L.N.L’s being held up, 2 platoons of A Coy had to assist our right Ciy in forming A defensive flank, the situation at this time being extremely precarious, the enemy actually made an attempt to cut in on the flank but was met by our own L.G. [Lewis Gun] file.

At 2.45pm the Battn line was approximately C Coy along sunken road to quarry in M.9.c with K.R.R’s on left flank, then 2 platoons of A Coy along E edge of quarry and 2 platoons of B Coy stretching towards Fourmoy Alley at pt M.15.a.4.3. 2 platoons of B Coy and a few stragglers remaining in support along sunken road in M.14.b. Battn HQ was established in Villemay Trench. D coy had 2 platoons in Villemay Trench, remaining two in Fourmoy Alley.

3.30pm One Coy of the R.H came into position in Battn right and took up position in Villemay Trench and Essling Alley in M.20.b and came in touch with D Coy in Fourmoy Alley.

4.50pm Another R.H. Coy came up and took up positions in the same area. 

In the field - 1918 – Sept 19: Battalion reorganised, Two platoons of B Coy stay to occupy Ledue Trench E of Berthaucourt but are compelled to retire owing to M.G. fire from this trench. Enemy attempt to penetrate our position NE of Berthaucourt but fail.

2 Coys B.W. attempt a minor operation on our right but have to withdraw to original positions. Situation about normal.

Material captured on Battalion front during attack:
Haeavy Machine Guns: 10; Light Machine Guns: 11; 6" Heavy Trench Mortars 2; 3" Light Trench Mortars 3 and a considerable amount of rifles and R.E. material.