Herbert Husband
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Herbert was the fourth and youngest son of John and Eliza Husband (née Hurst or Hirst). Both his parents were born in Ordsall, Nottinghamshire, and were married at Ordsall All Hallows in April 1879. They had seven children one of whom died in infancy: George William b. Blyth birth registered 1880 (J/F/M) bap. Blyth SS Mary & Martin February 1880, Amy b. Ordsall birth registered 1882 (J/F/M), Albert b. Ordsall 1884, Lizzie b. Babworth 1886 bap. Babworth All Saints November 1886, Ada b. Ordsall birth registered 1891 (J/F/M) d. 1891, Fred b. Retford 1892 and Herbert b. Retford 1895 bap Retford St Swithun 1897. John and Eliza were living in Blyth in 1880 when their first child was born but had moved to Ordsall by the time of the 1881 Census and were also recorded in Ordsall on the 1891 Census: John, a malster's labourer, Eliza and their five children, George, Amy, Albert, Lizzie and Ada who died later that year. The family was living at 10 Spital Hill, Retford, in 1901: John, a farm labourer, Eliza and five of their six children, George a railway drayman, Albert a tan yard labourer, Lizzie a general domestic servant, Fred and Herbert. The eldest daughter, Amy, a laundry worker, was recorded as a visitor at Water Lane, Retford, in the home of Charles and Sarah Askew and their sons Edward and Arthur. Amy married Edward Askew (19) later that year. By 1911 John, again working as a malster's labourer, and Eliza had moved to 9 Spa Lane, Retford. Only three of their children were still living at home; Albert a machine moulder, Fred a gardener's assistant and Herbert a millwright's labourer. Their three other children were married. Amy Askew was living on Spital Hill with her husband Edward and their four children. George had married Sarah Jane Buttery in 1903 and they and their four daughters were living at 10 Spa Lane, Retford, while Lizzie, her husband Arthur Scott (m. 1905) and their two daughters were living in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. Fred married Lucy Elizabeth Rossington in 1918 (J/F/M). Herbert's parents were still living at 9 Spa Lane when his mother completed a form for the army in May 1919 listing her son's surviving blood relatives: Brothers: George William (39) Low Street Retford 'now serving in India' [military record not yet traced'], Albert (36) 9 Spa Lane Retford, Fred (27) 13 Spa Lane Retford. Sisters: Amy Askew (37) Retford, Lizzie Scott Gainsborough. Albert married Lily Green in 1919 (reg. O/N/D) following his discharge from the army in March that year; he died the following year (reg. 1920 J/A/S). His widow completed a form for the army in December 1921 naming her late husband's surviving relatives: Amy Husband, 8 Spa Lane, Retford. Parents John and Eliza of 9 Spa Lane and siblings George, Fred and Amy Askew also living in Retford and Lizzie Scott living in Gainsborough. Eliza Husband died in 1932 and her husband in 1935. Albert Husband attested in the Territorial Force in November 1911 serving with the 8th Notts & Derby Regiment. He later resigned (date not known) but may have rejoined the TF and then transferred to embodied service. He served with the 21st Bn. Sherwood Foresters (330550) transferring to the 2/6th then 1/7th Battalions Durham Light Infantry (252449) in which he was promoted lance corporal. He served with the BEF France. He was discharged on demobilization in March 1919. Fred Husband served in France with the 1/8th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (1215/305064) and was promoted lance corporal and then to sergeant. He served with the BEF France from 2 March 1915 and was demobilized on 22 February 1919. He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Herbert attested in Retford in the Territorial Force (4 years service UK) on 30 March 1914, joining the 1/8th (Territorial) Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). He was 19 years old and employed as a labourer. He was living with his parents at 9 Spa Lane, Retford, and named his father as his next of kin. Herbert served with the BEF France from 2 March 1915. He was killed in action on 24 April 1915 along with six other members of the battalion when the trench they were holding was hit by a mortar shell. He was buried in the Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. E.72). His brother, Private Fred Husband, gave the following account of his brother's death in a letter to his parents which was published in the Worksop Guardian, 7 May 1915:- '“Just a few lines to let you know poor Herbert was killed last night (April 24th) while in action. We were side by side when he was struck in the chest by a trench mortar. I was with him to the last. He did not linger long. It is a wonder any of us are alive to tell the tale. I shall never forget it as long as I live. We had, as near as I can tell, 11 killed and a number wounded. It was murder. It was hell itself. I, myself, was very nearly buried alive, but, thank God, I was unhurt, but for the shock. I thought my last minutes had come. The scene was terrible. Most of the men had to wade up to the knees in mud and water to get to safety. I was one of those that had to do it to escape being killed. The lance corporal over Herbert’s section was killed. There was only two out of ten left, most of them being Retford lads. Herbert died a true British soldier fighting for his King and country. I looked after him myself all I could. The officer is writing to you but I thought it best for me to write. Well dear mother and father, bear up and trust to God.”' Service: Home: 30 March 1914-1 March 1915. BEF France: 2 March 1915-24 April 1915. (337 Days) Herbert qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery (extract): The Cemetery is 8km from the town of Ieper (Ypres). 'Kemmel Chateau was north-east of Kemmel village and the cemetery was established on the north side of the chateau grounds in December 1914. It continued to be used by divisions fighting on the southern sectors of the Belgian front until March 1918, when after fierce fighting involving both Commonwealth and French forces, the village and cemetery fell into German hands in late April. The cemetery was retaken later in the year, but in the interval it was badly shelled and the old chateau destroyed.' (www.cwgc.org)
The seven men of the 1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters who were killed on 24 April 1915 were buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium: 2434 Private Herbert Grant ( E.70), 1213 Private Albert Edward Hincks (E.77), 2002 Private Herbert Husband (E.72), 1867 Private William Johnson (E.75), 78 Private William Pattison (E.71), 1839 Private Harry Randall (E.78) and 1849 Private Ernest Worthington (E.79). (See records on this Roll of Honour). Worksop Guardian, 7th May 1915: 'Seven Territorials Killed' 'The Retford Territorials have already suffered heavily by the war, the news coming on Friday evening that seven members of the Retford Company of the Sherwood Foresters had been killed on the same day, just before leaving the trenches. The names of the seven are:- Ptes. W Pattison, a well known official and ex-player of the Town Football Club, H Husband, H Grant, H Randall, A Worthington, W Hincks, and W Johnson. Three were employees at the Northern Rubber Works, vis., Pattison, Randall and Worthington and the remainder were connected with the railway service. Some particulars of the sad affair are contained in a letter dated April 26th from Pte Frank Farrand [KIA 14 October 1915] to his parents, Mr and Mrs Farrand, 36 West Street. The letter is as follows:- “Dear Father and Mother, I received your letter on Sunday, the day we came out of the trenches, where we have been for five days. We have had a bit of bad luck this last time, for we have lost seven Retford lads, their names being, Ptes. W Pattison, H Husband, H Grant, H Randall, A Worthington, W Hincks, and W Johnson. I expect you will know by the time this letter reaches you. It is a very sad affair, but they all died like hero’s, every one. It occurred about five o’clock on Saturday night. It (April 26th) had been very quiet all day, and we were getting ready to be relieved, when all of a sudden, the Germans started to shell us, especially with trench mortars, these shells dropping clean into the trench. They blew the parapet down and then the dogs turned a machine gun on that spot. It was awful, I can tell you. But we stuck it, and this afternoon we have been highly praised by General Stuart Wortley. He also said our Company, ‘D’ and ‘B’ Company, behaved magnificently under such heavy shell fire. He also called the officers of the same Companies and eventually congratulated them. He also said next time his dispatch went to Sir John French he would put it all forward, so I think we are starting to make a name for the 8th. We lost a few Retford lads, but we cannot go in to action without having any casualties. You can take it from me, we shall always remember the 24th of April, the day of the final of the English Cup, and the day we lost our pals. We are having a five days’ rest before going in again.” 'Writing to his parents, Pte Fred Husband gives the following account of his brother’s death:- “Dear Mother and Dad, Just a few lines to let you know poor Herbert was killed last night whilst in action. We were side by side when he was hit. He was killed by a trench mortar, being struck in the chest. I was with him to the last. He did not linger long. It is a wonder any of us are alive to tell the tale. It was a sight I will never forget as long as I live. We had, as near as I could say, 11 killed and nine wounded. It was like hell itself. I myself, was nearly buried alive, but thank God, I was unhurt except for the shock. The scene was terrible. Most of the men waded over the knees in sludge and water to get to safety. The Lance-Corporal over Herbert’s section was killed, and there were only two left out of the ten, and most of them were Retford Lads. In fact we were lucky to have any left at all. I shall have to bear the loss as best I can. Herbert died like a true British soldier, fighting for his King and country. I looked after him all I could. Dear Mother and Dad, bear up and trust in God. I cannot write any more. Goodnight, and may God watch over and guard you from all danger, your loving son, Fred”. 'Mrs Grant of Velvedere Villas, Ollerton Road, has also received a letter from Pte A Parsons, as follows:- “Dear Mrs Grant, just a line to say how I sympathise with you in your great loss. I am pleased to say your son stuck to his post to the last. He has been laid to rest in the Sherwood Foresters’ burial ground, just behind the firing line. I’m sure his grave will be well looked after whenever we have a possible chance.” Lieut. E C A James also writes a postscript to this letter as follows:- “Dear Mrs Grant, I am taking the liberty of adding a personal note to this letter, as I am so busy that I have not time to write a letter. Your son is buried with all our Retford men in the Soldiers Cemetery. Please accept my deepest sympathy, E C A James, Lieut.” 'Pte Hincks is an only son and much sympathy is felt for Mr Hincks, an old and respected trader. Pte Hincks was 23 years of age, and had a remarkable escape soon after arriving at the front, being wounded by a bullet which passed through his cap and cut through his hair. Pte Randall, aged 29, had been three years in the Terriers. His parents, who live in Beardsall’s Row, has not yet received any intimation as to his death. Pte Pattison was a member of the Town Football Club Committee and an old player and assistant trainer. He was a nephew of Sergt, Woodward, also a famous player in the town. Another popular footballer and a member of the Beehive Club, Pte Harry Hill, has also been wounded, and is now at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington. He was wounded in the back of the head and severely bruised by a shell.' A similar report about the seven soldiers was also published in the Retford Times on 7 May 1915. Herbert's personal property was returned to his father in August 1915. The document in his service record listing the items is damaged but these included a prayerbook and letters. Information about Herbert Husband has been provided courtesy of Alan Laurie.
