RIFLEMAN HENRY HERBERT
LONDON IRISH RIFLES
1ST JUNE 1917 AGE 26
BURIED: LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, BELGIUM
The War Graves Commission's register says that Henry Herbert was killed in action but if so why was he buried at a Casualty Clearing Station cemetery? Those who were killed in action were buried in cemeteries close to the front line, Lijssenthoek was several kilometres behind it. During May 1917 the regiment had been in a quiet sector of the line, digging trenches and strengthening parapets at Spoil Bank. They had last been in action on 7 April in a trench raid described in this posting on the 1914-1918 Invasion Zone Forum. It's likely that this in when Henry Herbert was wounded. The War Graves Commission's records state that Rifleman Herbert served with 'D' Company 1st/18th Battalion London Irish Rifles, whose Company Commander, Captain John Tierney, was also wounded that day.
James Herbert, a former blacksmith turned builder's labourer, chose his son's inscription. Although mothers are sometimes specifically mentioned on headstones, even when the father is still alive, it sounds as though Mrs E Herbert was dead. It is a direct, personal and poignant message.