Military History

Herbert is listed as being killed in action on 12th April 1918. The 15th Battalion war diary entry for the 12th April is transcribed below.

Thiennes – 12 Apr 1918: Battalion entrains and prepares to bivouac in Bois D’Amont S of Nieppe Canal in I.18 and wood. Picqueted in J.18.g and J.9.a. Lewis Guns and magazines issued. Draft of 83 OR joined Battalion here for duty.

11.35am: Orders received to dump kits in Main Drive and be prepared to attack Merville astride Tanny-La Motte Baudet-Merville Road. 15^th R War R with one section of 13^th M.G.C will form advance guard

12.5pm: Battalion moved to La Foret. Battn is to dig a line from Smithy J.23.d to La Maladerie J.34.c.

2.45pm: C Coy move forward as advance guard and form a screen astride the Croix Marraisse – La Motte Baudet – Merville Road to cover the Battalion. Line taken up J.28.b.9.6 to J.34.d.2.8. A Coy dig in in support 200 yards in rear.

3.30pm: Order received to advance and occupy line K.32.c.8.0 in front of Brickfields to cross roads K.26.c.8.1 to road junction K.26.a.23.50.

16^th Division on our right 14/R War R on our left. Battalion advances C Coy as advance guard, B, D & A in order named.

5.15pm: Touch gained with the enemy at Le Corbie K.25.c.8.5. Enemy holding Brickfield and house nearby (K.32.c) & checking advance with considerable M.G & rifle fire.

5.30pm: Commanding Officer orders attack and capture of Brickfields and house, C Coy to advance along the N of canal, with 2 platoons of B Coy to right form and attack from the north.

5.45pm: Attack commenced

6.10pm: Brickfields cleared and held. Posts established with Brigade Machine Guns on right and left flanks. Heavy enemy MG fire from S of Canal.

Line on left established by D Coy Le Corbie – La Sart Road from K.26.c.7.1 inclusive to road junction K.26.a.25.50 with A Coy digging in support 200 yards in rear inclusive of Le Corbie -La Sart road.

Line of right established by C Coy from K.32.c.4.0 to K.32.c.6.5 to cross roads K.26.c.7.1 exclusive. Touch with 61^st Division on right not established and south bank of canal held by enemy in considerable to our rear.

B Coy dig in support of C Coy. Battalion HQ at K.25.d.1.5.

8pm: A prisoner of 93^rd Regiment brought in, enemy attack on our right, on our new position, supported by heavy enfilade fire, repulsed.

10pm: Companies reorganised and consolidation carried on.

10.15pm: Line to be taken indicated by Brigade Major

10.45pm: Orders received from Brigade to readjust line in accordance with instructions to be given by Brigade Major

11.25pm: Touch established with 14/R War R on left

12midnight: Brickfields fired by enemy artillery.

Casualties 12/4/18: Officers: killed 1; wounded 4; missing 0
                                Other Ranks: killed 7; wounded 84; missing 1

2.00am 13 Apr 1918: Line re-established as ordered from K.26.a.4.8 on the left to K.25.c.9.4 with two Coys in support along southern edge of wood from K.25.a.9.7 to K.20.c.1.4. Battalion HQ to K.25.a.6.6.