Name
Hubert John Geen(*1)
1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/11/1917
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
P/695
Rifle Brigade (St Pancras)
16th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 145/7
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Breachwood Green Baptist Church Memorial, Breachwood Green, Not on the Welwyn Village memorials
Pre War
Hubert John Green was born in 1888 in Cheriton Fitzpaine, Devon, the son of James and Emma Geen. He was one of four children. They remained at Cheriton Fitzpaine on the 1891 Census, then living at Tower Hill and his father was working as a smith implement agent. By 1901 the family had moved to East Buckfastleigh, Devon and were living at 2 Pioneer Terrace where his father was working as a blacksmith/journeyman.
By 1911 he was a boarder at Kings Walden, working as a domestic gardener.
He married Constance Parkins on 1 July 1915 by special licence at St Matthew, St Pancras, London, possibly because he was being sent to France as his occupation was given as Rifleman, 16th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. He gave his address as 68 Oakley Square,
He volunteered for service early in 1915 and was reported as "an experienced horticulturist, and in past years carried out important duties in the splendidly appointed gardens associated with King's Walden Bury." He was known to give thoughtful addresses at the Young People's Society and the Christian Endeavour gatherings.
Constance was born at King's Walden and later lived at Breachwood Green, Herts. His father later lived at 2 Coleridge Road, Exeter.
Wartime Service
Hubert enlisted in Holloway, North London and joined the 16th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. The Battalion landed at La Havre on 8th March 1916.
He was killed in action on 20 November 1917, probably in the actions around Polygon Wood. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Additional Information
His widow Constance received a war gratuity of £12 10s and pay owing of £5 8s 6d. She also received a pension of 15 shillings a week.
The 16th Bn, Rifle Brigade were part of 117th Brigade, 39th Division.
He had a brother serving in Egypt and a brother-in-law in France.
*1 Some records show his surname as Green.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Paul Johnson, June Colegrove, Mark Morgan, Brenda Palmer
