THIRTLE, Herbert George


No.G/15697, Private, Herbert George THIRTLE
Aged 19


7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
Killed in Action on Saturday, 30th September 1916


Born in 1897 (née )

1901 census...Aged 4, he was at 23 Out Westgate, Bury St.Edmunds with his father George THIRTLE [35] born Aylsham, Norfolk; his mother Rosetta [36]; sister Anne Jane [5] and Mary Rosalie [1]; brothers Alfred William [6] and Harry Robert; grandmother Martha SEATES [68]. All except his father were born in Bury St.Edmunds

1911 census...Aged 14, a grocer's assistant, he was still at 23 Westgate Street with his parents; sisters Annie Jane (shop assistant), Mary Rosalie and Florence Martha [6]; brothers Alfred William (baker's assistant), Harry Robert and Charles Frederick; grandmother Martha SEATES.



His brother Alfred died of Illness in Cairo in 1919 see here


He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds.

War Diary has :-
Wood Post to Thiepval..7 am Message received from Bgde "SOS on northern edge of SCHWABEN REDOUBT, 7th Buffs to stand to ready"
9:35 am Verbal message from Bgde said "1 Coy to be sent to occupy northern defences of THIEPVAL running R.25.b.33, R.25.b.34, R.25.b.43, and thence out towards BULGAR TRENCH". D Coy was accordingly ordered up and reported its arrival without any casualties at 10:35 am. Casualties up to 12 noon 30th Sept - OR killed 3, OR wounded 5
1:25 pm Orders arrived from Bgde stating 2 platoons 7th Buffs in conjunction with the 9th EAST SURREY REGT were to attack and capture SCHWABEN REDOUBT. Objectives of the 2 platoons 7th Buffs were points R.19.d.39 and R.19.d.19. zero time was 4 pm.
2 platoons of D Coy under 2/Lt CARMAN, Nos 15 and 16 were detailed for the attack
3:35 pm Orders were issued for A Coy to stand by ready to move up to THIEPVAL at a moments notice.
3:45 pm Major Williams ordered to report to Bgde HQ
4 pm Verbal orders received from Bgde 1 Coy to report to OC 8th East Surrey Regt at THIEPVAL at once. A Coy was ordered to proceed up. 8:50 pm Verbal orders received from Bgde who came up to Wood Post were that 1 Coy and HQ were to move up to THIEPVAL and reinforce the 8th East Surrey Regt who were to collect and withdraw back to WOOD POST.
9:15 pm HQ and B Coy moved up to THIEPVAL reaching there at 10:45 pm B Coy moving into dug outs about R.25.b.60. HQ going to 8th EAST SURREY HQ at R.25.d.04. C Coy ordered to move up to JOSEPH Trench R.32.a.26 to 77
12 midmight Message recieved from A Coy saying Nos 1 and 3 platoons had been sent to reinforce 8th East Surrey Regt left near point R.19.d.65. Nos 2 and 4 platoons sent to help 7th R W Kent Regt
Also report received from D Coy with reference to the attack at 4 pm by Nos 15 and 16 platoons by 2 Lt CARMAN who was in command of the party.

CWGC have a total killed on 30th in 7th Buffs was 13








Herbert Thirtle is buried in Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval 1:I:18

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


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