Herbert Griffiths
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Herbert was born in 1896 in Hucknall Torkard and was the son of Joseph a road repairer in a coal mine and Mary Jane Griffiths née Brown, they lived at 46 Portland Road Hucknall Torkard Nottinghamshire. His father Joseph was born in Wellington, Shropshire and his mother Mary Jane Brown was born in 1863 in Ketley, Shropshire. They were married at St Mary's Church Ketley, Shropshire on 29th May 1882. They went on to have 10 children in total, however sadly 5 of their children died in infancy prior to 1911, their surviving children were : - Florence b1884 Wellington, Shropshire Mary Jane b1890 Herbert b1896, Ernest b1897, Lily b1899, all the later children were born in Hucknall Torkard. Between the birth of their first child Florence in 1884 at Wellington and Mary Jane 1890 at Hucknall the family moved into the local area , in the 1891 census they are living at 16 Portland Road, Hucknall and by the following census in 1901 were living at 46 Taylors Buildings, Hucknall In the 1911 census the family are living at 46 Portland Road, Hucknall and are shown as : - Joseph 50 yrs , head of his family and working as a road repairer in a coal mine, he is living with his wife Mary Jane 48 yrs and their children , Mary Jabe 21 yrs a stripper in a cigar factory, Herbert 15 yrs a pit bank coal sorter, Ernest 14 yrs working on the coal bank, and Lilly 12 yrs a scholar.
Herbert enlisted in Hucknall, he landed in France on 27th December 1914. Posted to 1st Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, he was wounded at Aubers Ridge on 9th May 1915. After recovering from his wound, he was transferred to the 9th Battalion, serving with them at Gallipoli where he, along with so many others, fell ill. As an acting corporal he was transferred to 17th Battalion (Welbeck Rangers) and was killed when he kicked a dud shell on 5th October 1916. Having no known grave, Bert Griffiths is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages , Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914- 1918
Articles published on 26th October 1916 in the Hucknall Dispatch :- His family received the news from comrades in the battalion. The first was from Second Lieutenant William Galpin Lilley. “17th Sherwood Foresters, “B.E.F., France, “October 6th, 1916. “Madam, It is with the deepest regret that I have to report the loss of your son Corporal Griffiths, who was killed in action yesterday, the 5th inst. Since I have been his platoon officer, I have always noticed that your son has set a splendid example to his men. He did not know what fear was. Also, it might interest you to know that I had recommended your son for his sergeant's stripes. When I come back to England I will certainly call on you. Allow me to join you and yours in your sad bereavement. The loss of your son is a great loss to D Company. Believe me, yours sincerely, W. G. LILLEY.” A man who worked with him at the pit, Pte. Ernest Copley, wrote to Herbert Griffith's brother, Ernest. “17th Sherwood Foresters, “B.E.F., France, “October 13th, 1916. “Dear Ernest, You will no doubt be surprised to have a letter from me, as it is the first time I have written you since I have been a soldier. Well, I am sorry to say I've some very bad news to tell you, and hope you will take it all right. Your dear brother Bert was killed on October 5th. We were just going into action at the time, and I can assure you it was absolutely a pure accident. Very seldom anything happens like it. He was walking over some capture[d] ground from the Germans, and there were a few shells here and there which had failed to explode. If we happen to touch any of them, they explode without warning. He was walking along, and he happened to kick one by accident, with the result that it exploded and killed him instantly. He suffered no pain, and I saw him a few seconds after it was done, being only just behind him. He joined our battalion on September 6th, and when he came with a draft I was surprised to see him. We were the best of chums the short time he has been with us, and I shall miss him very much, being a Hucknall lad. I knew him so well by working with him in the pit. I expect you knew he had been made a full corporal. He looked well, and was making a fine big fellow. It's hard lines, after being out here all that time. He has seen some hard fighting, and it was a pity for him to be killed like that. No doubt, you would like to know how I got your address. When we were coming out of action I saw Joe Skidmore, who lives near you, and he told me he was in the Royal Field Artillery. He looked very downhearted when I told him about your Bert, as he was expecting to see him, having got to know we were up there. He told me to let you know as soon as possible, which I have done. Well, Ernest, give your mother and dad my deepest sympathy, and I hope they will bear up in their bereavement. He died like a brave British soldier. If anyone has done his bit it was poor Bert. Although I have been in some hot corners, I am quite well myself, and in the best of spirits. Keeping a good heart is everything out here. With deepest sympathy to you and all at home, from your old pal, E. COPLEY.” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages , Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914- 1918
