R/463, Able Seaman, Herbert SHEPHERD
Aged 31
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He was born in Emneth, Norfolk on 5th October 1885. Son of William George and Elizabeth SHEPHERD (née ROBB). of Emneth, Norfolk. 1891 census...Herbert [4] was a visitor at Upwell Low Road, Outwell staying with Joseph Smith, a farmer, and his wife Elizabeth. The rest of the family were at the Mill House, Emneth. His father William George SHEPHERD {38] was a Master Miller, born Outwell, mother Elizabeth [39] was born Outwell, brothers James [13], William [7] John Thomas [1] and sister Beatrice [10] were all born in Emneth. 1901 census...Herbert [16] was a grocers assistant, boarding with widow Lydia Cooper and her son at the Post Office, Outwell. His parents were now at Main Street, Upwell with James, William and John Thomas, plus Grace Lizzie [9] and Walter George [9] both born in Emneth. 1911 census...Herbert[25], still single, was Hotel Manager at the Temperance Hotel, Market Street, Newmarket. His parents were at The Mills, Upwell with James (now a widower), William, Grace and Walter and 11 month old Madge May SHEPHERD, presumably the daughter of James. He married Ursula Ruth GILLMAN in Newmarket in 25th July 1911 at All Saints Church, who later re-married as Ursula R EVANS, Stanley Stores, Stanley Road, Newmarket. There is no explanation as to why Herbert was seemingly never with the rest of his family. His father in law, Thomas Gillman was buried with him in 1929 |
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He joined the Army Reserve on 15th December 1915, he was 5' 6" (167.6 cm)tall, chest 34"(86.4 cm) and weighed 115 lbs (52.3 kg). Entered Naval Service 13th November 1916 and joined the
B.E.F. Nelson Battalion draft on 19th March 1917 from Blandford Camp. He was wounded in the Battle of Arras on 6th May 1917. Admitted t0 5 Canadian General Hospital at Etaples with Gun Shot Wounds, Compound fracture of Thigh, Severed Leg. Invalided to U.K. on 19th May 1917 on HS "Pieter Connick", he was admitted to 1st London General Hospital at Camberwell on 29th May. On the 20th May 1917 the hospital sent a "Dangerously Ill" telegram to his wife. He died at 2 am on the 22nd. Nelson Battalion had taken part in the capture of the village of Gavrelle, at the end of April, as being part of the Arras offensive. From the very few deaths in Herbert's Battalion that week it would seem they were being rested after their earlier efforts. |
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