No.12436, Private, Herbert TILNEY
Aged 22
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Herbert Tilney was born in Brandon (Thetford Q2-1894 4B:366) son of Herbert Thompson and Ellen TILNEY (née SHINN). 1901 census...Aged 6, he was at London Road, Brandon with his father Herbert TILNEY [34] bricklayer's labourer; his mother Ellen [38]; sisters Sarah A [15], Emily E [11], Maud [8] and Alice [2]. All were born in Brandon. 1911 census...Aged 16, a labourer, he was at London Road, Brandon with his parents and sisters Emily Elizabeth and Alice. His mother had lost 2 of her 6 children. CWGC have the address as 51 London Road. |
click here to go to the Brandon at War website for more information
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He attested in Norwich.
The battalion war diary says they were holding the line 57d.r.33.d.2.8 to 57d.r.33.c.9.1. (see image below) just outside Pozières. They had suffered 7 OR killed, 34 wounded and 2 missing on the 11th, when they had experienced the heaviest shelling they had ever known. On the 12th it records :- "12 -10pm- Today the shelling has been less severe and more preparations have been made for the attack which is to take place at 10.30 pm today" That attack took place at 10.30 pm on a front of about a mile with the Australians on the right, 7th Sussex on their left. The objective was 6th Avenue, the German front line. They advanced slowly and when the barrage lifted they got into the enemy trench with very little resistance, the Germans being completely surprised. They cleared the trench and dugouts and sent a patrol to the next German line. At 11.10 pm battalion HQ received the message that the trench had been taken and engineers were sent to assist in consolidation. Few casualties had occurred during the advance but there were several in the trench from shellfire. CWGC records have 28 killed on the 12th, only three of them have an identified grave. start line held on 11th click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
