Herbert Cumberland
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Herbert was the only son of Herbert Cumberland and Hannah Cumberland nee Whittaker. Herbert Cumberland senior was born in Ruddington in 1859 (baptised 9 April 1859, Ruddington), the son of Sidney and Rebecca Cumberland. Hannah Whittaker was born in 1854 (A/M/J Stafford). Herbert and Hannah were married in 1880 (marriage registered J/A/S Stafford). According to the 1911 Census they had had five children of whom only four were still living at the time of the census. Four children were named on the census between 1881 and 1911: Herbert b. 1883 (O/N/D Nottingham), Ada May b. 1887 (J/A/S Nottingham), Lilian/Lily birth registered 1892 (J/F/M Nottingham) and Annie b. 1896 (A/M/J Nottingham). In 1881, the year after their marriage, Herbert (22), a provision dealer's porter, and Hannah (26) were living at 15 Beaconsfield Terrace, Nottingham. By 1891 they were living at Stanley Place, Nottingham. Herbert was now a caretaker and foreman. He and Hannah now had two children, Herbert (7) and Ada (4). Also in the household was a lodger, John Askew (20). They had moved to 102 Northumberland Street, Nottingham, by 1901 by which time Herbert was a foreman in a lace works. Their four surviving children were at home on the night of the census: Herbert a labourer with Nottingham Corporation, Ada an errand girl, Lilian (9) and Annie (4). In 1911 Herbert and Hannah with three of their children, Herbert a case paper clerk in the Poor Law Office, Lilian a pattern girl in a lace warehouse and Annie a packing girl at Boots, were living at 49 Shelton Street, Nottingham. Herbert's parents were still living at the same address when he died in September 1917. The eldest girl, Ada, had married Charles Baker in 1910 (O/N/D Nottingham) and they were living at 40 Peas Hill Road, Nottingham. Herbert married Laura Lees (b. 4 December 1884) in 1912 (A/M/J Basford). They had one child, a daughter Gwendolyn, who died on 28 June 1917 aged one day. At the time of Herbert's death in September 1917 their home was at 383 Bluebell Hill Road, Nottingham, although when the CWGC record was compiled his widow was living at Toronto House, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham. Laura never remarried and died on 26 April 1973; she was then living at Derbyshire Haven, Brendon Road, Wollaton, Nottingham. Herbert's mother died on 9 November 1928 aged 74 and his father on 15 April 1946 aged 87. His eldest sister, Ada Baker, died aged 52 in 1940.
225th Siege Bty Royal Garrison Artillery. Herbert died at the Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington, of wounds received in action in France. He was buried in Nottingham Church Cemetery (St Paul's 9670) on 11 September 1917 with full military honours following a service at the Mansfield Road Wesleyan Chapel. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Family headstone Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery: 'Peace. In loving memory of Herbert the dearly loved husband of Laura Cumberland who died September 5th 1917 at Warrington Hospital of wounds received in France aged 33 years. ’A Noble Life Sacrificed'. Also their dear baby daughter, Gwendolyn, died June 28th 1917 aged 1 day. Thy will be done. Also of the above Laura Cumberland who died April 26th 1973 aged 88 years' Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour, Saturday 8 September 1917: ‘Cumberland. Died of wounds, September 5th, Gunner Herbert Cumberland RGA. His sorrowing wife Laura, 383 Blue Bell-hill.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour, Saturday 8 September 1917: ‘Cumberland. Died of wounds, Gunner Herbert Cumberland, RFA, beloved and only son of Mr and Mrs Herbert Cumberland. 49 Shelton-street. Sorrowing mother, father, and sisters Ada, Lily, Annie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour, Saturday 8 September 1917: ‘Cumberland. On September 5th from wounds received in action, Gunner Herbert Cumberland RFA. In affectionate remembrance of a faithful colleague. From the staff, Poor Law Offices, Shakespeare-street.’ Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour, 10 September 1917: ‘Cumberland. Died of wounds, September 5th, Gunner Herbert Cumberland RGA. Funeral service, Mansfield-road Wesley, at 1.45.; Rock Cemetery, 2.30. His sorrowing wife Laura. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour, 10 September 1917: ‘Cumberland, Died of wounds, Gunner Herbert Cumberland RGA, beloved and only son of Mr and Mrs Cumberland, Shelton-street. Internment Tuesday, September 11th, Mansfield-road Wesleyan, 1.30; Church Cemetery 2.30’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday 11 September 1917: 'Gunner Cumberland’s Funeral in Nottingham. Full military honours were accorded, and an unusually large crowd attended, the funeral in the Nottingham Church Cemetery this afternoon of Gnr. Herbert Cumberland of the Royal Garrison Artillery, who died of wounds in Warrington Hospital on September 5th. Although only 36 years of age, he was prior to enlistment a relieving officer under the Nottingham Guardians, president of the Albert Hall Junior Brotherhood, public welfare secretary of the Nottingham District Brotherhood Federation, conductor of the Albert Hall Silver Band for many years, and a Shakespearean reciter of considerable ability. Following a service at the Mansfield-road Wesleyan Chapel, where Mr BA Gregory of the Albert Hall Mission, paid a touching tribute, and Mr A Richards played suitable music on the organ, the procession, headed by the Nottingham City Police Band, under Inspector Hewitt, proceeded to the cemetery. At the graveside the service was conducted by the Rev J Lewis (Vicar of St Mark’s) while the 4th reserve KOYLI under Lieut. Baker, furnished bearing, firing and bugle parties. A considerable number of wreaths included offerings from the Albert Hall Mission, the wounded at Trent Bridge VAD Hospital, Nottingham, and District Brotherhood Federation, J Burton and Sons, Gas Department (Woodborough-road), AI Military Hospital concert party, staff of the Poor Law Office, brother Poor Law officers on active service and the Albert Hall Junior Brotherhood.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 'Acknowledgements', 12 September 1917: ‘Mrs H Cumberland wishes to thank all friends for sympathy and floral tributes in her sad bereavement.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 'Acknowledgements', 12 September 1917. ’Mr and Mrs Cumberland and Family, 49 Shelton-street, wish to thank all friends for sympathy and floral tributes in their sad bereavement.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday 18 September 1917: Report from a meeting of the Nottingham Board of Guardians, 18 September. ‘Brave Relieving Officer. The Chairman made a sympathetic reference to the death of Gunner H Cumberland, who had died of wounds. Mr Cumberland was relieving officer of the No. 3 district and, the chairman said, was much esteemed by the poor for his kindness. A vote of sympathy to the relatives was passed.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His widow was his sole legatee. Probate: Cumberland Laura of Derbyshire Haven Brendon Rd Wollaton Nottingham died 26 April 1973 Probate Nottingham 6 June £785.
