Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Herbert was born in Boston, Lincolnshire on 15 July 1889 to parents Joseph Eldin, a railway guard, and Harriet (nee Reedman) Ingram and was the eldest of seven sons.  In 1911, Herbert was living with his parents and six brothers at 1 Queen Street, Boston and his occupation was described as a clerk at Holland County Council.

In June 1912, Herbert married Ethel Howard and they had two daughters; Norah born in September 1915, who sadly died shortly after birth and Joyce born in October 1916.

Herbert attested on 27 November 1915, giving his address as 54 Fydell Street, Boston and his occupation as county finance clerk.  He had previously served four years with the 4^th Lincolnshire Regiment.  He joined the 16^th Company, F Battalion, Heavy Branch Machine Gun Corps, but was not mobilised until 31 May 1916.  He was stationed at MGC (Heavy) Training Centre, No 2 Camp, Thetford when he passed through Peterborough East Station on 18 September 1916.  He wrote in the visitors’ book “Many thanks to the G.E.R Rest Room Committee for a good cup of tea & a welcome rest during journey back to Camp.”

He embarked at Southampton for Le Havre on 14 May 1917, and was promoted to Corporal at the same time.  In September 1917, he transferred to the 12th Battalion of the Tank Corps. He was wounded twice during his time in France; the first time in November 1917, when he received a gunshot wound to his right thigh and was admitted to the General Hospital in Rouen.  He was wounded for the second time in August 1918, when he suffered a gunshot wound to his back and was admitted to hospital in Etaples.  He was promoted to the rank of Acting Sergeant in January 1919.  He served with British Army of the Rhine from 8 May 1919 to 11 September 1919, and was demobilised on 15 October 1919.  He had earned the specialist military qualification of Tank Mechanic.  He was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals.

Herbert returned home to Boston and in 1939, was living at 182 Frieston Road, Boston with his wife Ethel and daughter Joyce, who was a typist clerk in an accountants department.  Herbert was a chief accountant clerk at Holland (Lincolnshire) County Council.  Herbert died in Boston on 2 November 1959, aged 70.

Was Herbert a member of your family? Please get in touch if you can tell us more about him.