HERD, Roy Bootheway


No.182946, Sapper, Roy Bootheway HERD
Aged 28


Works Directorate, (Baghdad) and Royal Engineers
Died from illness on Thursday, 13th June 1918


Roy Bootheway HERD was born on 5th May 1890 in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire (Blackburn Q2-1890 8E:445), son of John and Ellen HERD (née BOOTHEWAY).
His father deserted them and divorced (decree absolute 2nd May 1904) by reason of his father's bigamy and adultery in 1896.

1891 census...Aged 11 months, he was at 46 Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle with his mother Ellen HERD [23] born Oswaldtwistle living with his grandfather Charles BOOTHWAY [66] retired butler, born Newton Harcourt, Leics.,and grandmother Ann [58] born Kidderminster; aunt Maria BOOTHWAY [28] single and uncle George BOOTHWAY [19] single. both born in Oswaldtwistle. He was admitted to Hippings Wesleyan School, Oswaldtwistle on 7th June 1894 when living at Catlow Hall Street. On 12th November 1894 he was removed to Ripon but was back at Hippings on 15th June 1895 until 15th March 1897.

1901 census...Aged 10, he was still at 46 Catlow Hall Street with his widowed grandmother (living on her own means) and his mother.

1911 census...Aged 20, articled Clerk to Borough Surveyor, he was visiting his uncle George BOOTHEWAY and wife Sarah Hellen at 67 Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle. His aunt Maria had married Grimshaw YATES,a Wesleyan Methodist Minister, which, together with his previous Wesleyan schooling may account for his schooling at the East Anglian School. His mother was in Prestwich Asylum.

He married Muriel Olive S.WILLIAMS (b.2-11-1889) in Pontypool in Q4-1914, of 18a Nicholas Street, Pontypool, Monmouthshire. The pension card has his widow still at that address with their daughter Muriel Jessalyn Bootheway HERD (born Pontypool qtr 1 ;1917)


He enlisted in Morley, Yorkshire. The pension card attributes his death to dysentery.



Whilst the current climate of political instability persists in Iraq, a Roll of Honour listing all casualties buried and commemorated in Iraq has been produced. These volumes are on display at the Commission's Head Office in Maidenhead.



Roy Herd is buried in Baghdad North Gate War Cemetery, grave 11:J:7

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


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