Albert HERD

‘Clitheroe Times’ (1 September 1916)

(Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman of Clitheroe and Dorothy Falshaw of Gisburn)

A GALLANT SOLDIER

SERGEANT A. HERD, WADDINGTON, KILLED

Waddington was cast into gloom last week-end by the announcement that one of its most popular young men, Sergeant Albert Herd, had been killed in action. Sergeant Herd, who was 22 years of age, was before the war actively identified with the work of St. Helen’s Church, acting as Sacristan and altar server, and being a valued Sunday School worker, and catechism helper. His loss will be greatly felt throughout the village, and the bereaved family have the sympathy of all in their great trouble.

Sergeant Herd was the first young man from the village to respond to his country’s call, joining the army when Captain Tunstill made his successful appeal throughout Bowland. That he was as brave and anxious to do his duty in the army, as he was staunch and true in civil life is amply demonstrated in a letter printed below from Captain Tunstill, and the fact that he received promotion for gallantry is further testimony.

The sad intimation was made in a letter to Mrs. Herd from Captain Tunstill, dated 22nd August, as follows:

“I am distressed to have to tell you that your son Sergeant A. Herd of my Company was killed last night by a bullet. You have my deepest and heartfelt sympathy in your loss of such a brave son and may God comfort you in this loss. It may be some little consolation to you to know that he gained his promotion through conspicuous gallantry, on the field during our recent attacks and his name has been sent in by me twice for great bravery and good work. We of the Company, Officers, N.C.O.’s and men regret his death as he was a great favourite with us all and had gained the confidence and respect of all. One thing, he did not suffer pain; he was unconscious from the time he was hit until he died ten minutes later. We buried him to-day in a little cemetery and a cross will mark his grave. I have asked the Chaplain to write to you. Our own Chaplain, who was very fond of your son, is unfortunately away, but the Chaplain who buried him will write to you.”

‘The Clitheroe Advertiser and Times’ (22 September 1939)

(Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman of Clitheroe and Dorothy Falshaw of Gisburn)

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

ITEMS FROM OUR ISSUES OF SEPTEMBER 18th 1914

Recruits from Waddington who joined Mr. Tunstill’s Settle Company of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, were Joseph B. Hartley, Albert Herd, Harry Smith, Thomas Rigby and William Watson. Grindleton: William I. Bell, James W. Clarkson, Joshua Crossley, and William Walker. Gisburn: Anthony Lofthouse and John Robinson. Newsholme: Thomas E. Askew, Carl P. Braithwaite [Branthwaite], Benjamin A. Butler and William H. Scott.