TUFFIN. Herbert William


No.13293, Private, Herbert William TUFFIN
Aged 21


11th Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
Died of of his Wounds on Saturday, 23rd December 1916


Herbert William TUFFIN was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q4-1895 4A:697) son of William and Emily TUFFIN(née HARRINGTON).

1901 census...Aged 5, he was at 32 Mount Road, Haverhill with his father William TUFFIN [34] mat maker born Glemsford; his mother Emily [32] born Glemford; brothers Edgar [3] and Arthur [4 months] both born in Haverhill; cousin Janet ADAMS [13] born Glemsford.

1911 census... Aged 15, a silk weaver, he was still at 32 Mount Road with his parents (mother now finishing tailoress); brothers Edgar and Arthur; sister May [8] born Haverhill. His mother had lost one of her 5 children




He enlisted in Chelmsford, whilst residing in Chelmsford. The South West Suffolk Echo of 6th January 1917 reported that:-
"Pte. Herbert Tuffin, of the Royal West Surrey Regt.(Queen's), eldest son of Mr. and Mrs.Tuffin of 38 Mount Road, Haverhill, has become another victim of the war. Aged 21 years, he had been in the Army about seven moths, four months of which had been spent in France. Prior to leaving Haverhill for munitions work at Chelmsford some two years ago, he was employed at the silk factory in Colne Valley Road. the bereaved parents have received the following letter from the Chaplain:-
"It is with heartfelt sorrow and regret that I write to inform you of your dear son's - Herbert's - death, which took place in this Hospital (No.3 Canadian C.C.S.) yesterday morning (December 23rd). I was with him from the moment he was brought in until his death, going to him and talking to him from time to time during the night. He died at 9:15 a, Saturday December 23rd. I feel badly about it, as did also the Sister whose care he was under. Indeed, every time I think of him I feel so sad. He was truly one of the nicest boys I have met: so beautiful in his disposition, so thoughtful and gentle. I really cannot describe in words what it was that drew me to him from the very first.Not one murmur passed his lips, and he spoke so tenderly of you and so faithfully of his Saviour. The chief question he asked was "Will I go to Heaven?". And to all who helped to make him comfortable he was so gracious and grateful. Truly it was sad for us when he passed away. He had no pain or suffering; he was tenderly placed in a nice war bed, and as it was a cold,wet night, we put hot water bottles around him to keep him nice and warm . Everything that surgical and medical skill and care could do was done to save him but from the very first the worst was feared, and he passed away peacefully without a sigh, going to that dear loving Saviour in whose blessed arms he found rest - deep and everlasting.
To you, his dear mother, this will be a terrible affliction, for if we learned to be so fond of him in a short time, what must he have been to you? I am sorry for you and I cannot find the right words to say to you. But please think of this; he never had any suffering here, and died in the fullest trust of his Saviour. What a Saviour! To whom could I better refer you to at this time? The One who having suffered every affliction Himself knows how the comfort the afflicted. Do look to him, for "though now ascended up on high, He bends on earth a brother's eye; in every pang that rends the heart, the Man of sorrows had a part".When the clouds are blackest, when the path seems dreary and desolate, and faith falters at the test, look to Him, and He will truly comfort and sustain you, until all earth's sorrows and dark days are merge in the Perfect Day, when perfect joys will be yours"


And then on the 3rd February the same paper reported:-
"Relative to the death of Pte.Tuffin, whose name appears below amongst the extracts from the official casualty lists, his father, Mr.W. Tuffin, of 30 Mount Road, Haverhill, received the following letter from a 2nd Lieut.of the deceased's regiment:-" With regard to your letter of January 24th, the Office in Command of No.5 Platoon has now left the Battalion, but I have managed to find out details from his platoon sergeant. Your son was wounded by a shell fragment about 8:15 pm on December 22nd, whilst with a working party moving up a communication trench. The fragment hit him in the region of his left shoulder, and must have injured his lungs. He was immediately taken to the Hospital where he died the following morning. We all deeply sympathise with your loss, all the more because we think how our dear ones in the Home Country would feel our loss. Your boy was always a keen, hard worker, and in time would have made an excellent non commissioned officer.In fact he was a very worthy member of his Platoon and Company and one who fully upheld the traditions of a regiment of which we are all justly proud, and which has lost so many in the fight for King and Country. I trust the information will be satisfactory, and offer you my sincerest sympathy. "


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photo: Rodney Gibson



Herbert Tuffin is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, grave 10:C:37
and commemorated in the Old Independent Church, Haverhill.

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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