No.6297, Private, Herbert BRAND
Aged 31
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Hewrbert Brand was born in Barrow in 1884 (1st qtr 1884 Thingoe 4a:652) son of James and Mary BRAND (née CLARRY)
1891 census...Aged 7, he was at 3 Hargrave Road, Barrow with his father James BRAND [52] farm labpurer; his mother Mary [46]; brothers George [15] farm labourer and Amos [12}. All were born in Barrow 1901 census...Aged 17, farm labourer, he was at Barrow Hill Road with his parents; brothers George (farm labourer) and Amos (platelayer). 1911 census...Aged 27, a farm labourer, he was still in Barrow with his widowed mother and brother George. His father had died in 1910. His mother was still there when claiming the pension |
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To have been in France that early he had to have been already enlisted or at least a Reservist. His number suggests enlistment in 1902, for a short engaement,
then transfer to Reserves The 2nd Suffolks were at Le Cateau during the retreat from Mons. Having reached Le Cateau the Suffolks received an order to stand and fight, which they did, despite being in the most unsuitable defensive position. They, and the Argyll Highlanders, fought for around nine hours before being overwhelmed by the Germans. No-one seems to admit to issuing the first order for them not to retreat, but their heroic endeavours held the Germans long enough for much of the British Division to escape. The battalion suffered over 720 casualties, killed,wounded or missing. CWGC records show that they had 74 killed on 26th, only 7 having known graves. The Germans seem to have found his body, but have no record of date of death or burial details. The Red Cross replied to his family enquiries in April 1915 saying there was no known date of death or burial details which may account for the various dates of death recorded
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
