Herbert Edward's Story.
Born 17th September 1898, at Northenden, son of gardener William Edward and Martha Johnson, 29, Holly House, Northenden, Cheshire. Herbert was working as a gardener and living at Wythenshawe Hall Gardens, Northenden when he joined the forces.
Herbert enlisted 16th September 1916, at Altrincham. His army medical records show he was a man of five feet eight inches tall weighed 125lbs and had a chest measurement of thirty-four inches. He was mobilized, 26/02/1917. Herbert was stationed on British soil until 10/10/1917, then he was drafted with the British Expeditionary Force, embarking from Southampton, 11/10/1917, arriving the following day at Rouen, France, here he joined the 13th Battalion Cheshire’s, then he was posted to the 1st Battalion, 15/10/1917. Herbert was wounded, 26/10/1917, though not seriously, for he was back with his unit on, 17/11/1917. ‘The History of the Cheshire Regiment in the Great War’ states; in the battle of Albert 21st to 23rd August 1918 The 1st Battalion detrained from the Foret de Nieppe area on the 14th August at Frevent (north of Doullens), and then marched by easy stages to Bayencourt, where they arrived on the 19th August, ready to take part in further operations by the 3rd Army, which were designed to cut off a large force of Germans in the Ancre Valley. On the night of the 20/21st August, the Battalion marched to its assembly position west of Bucquoy, being guided into position by officers and men of the New Zealand Division. The 1st Battalion was, with the 1st Norfolks, destined for the third objective, the railway line S.E. of Achiet-le-Petit. Bucquoy and the second objective were swiftly taken. Meanwhile the 1st Battalion and the 16th Warwickshire had followed the advance, and formed up for the attack on Achiet in perfect order. The advance began with the Hood Battalion of the Royal Navy Division on the left. They were soon out of support from the artillery because of the speed of the advance. Achiet was captured by “A” and “B” Companies, which, with “C” Company pushed on through the village to the final objective, the railway line. “D” Company was left to mop up a large number of prisoners, battery of artillery and many machine guns. The Battalion went into action 600 strong and lost no less than 300 killed and wounded on this day. Herbert was killed in action, 21/08/1918, he was aged 19 years.
His father signed for these medals 31/01/1922. His address; Macclesfield Road, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire.
Cheshire County Memorial Project would like to thank Harry Carlisle for the research on Herbert.