Name
Bernard Hippesley Le Blond
1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/07/1916
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
1953
Hertfordshire Regiment
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CATERPILLAR VALLEY CEMETERY, LONGUEVAL
XVI. H. 31.
France
Headstone Inscription
"FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE"
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Church of St Mary the Virgin Memorial Cheshunt, Hertford Grammar Memorial - now Richard Hale School, Hertford, Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Bernard Hippesley/Hippisley Le Blond was born in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire in 1894, son of Alfred Le Blond a, Beer Retailer and Dairyman and Amelia Le Blond (nee Hippesley/Hippisley). One of three Children, he also had three half-sisters.
1901 Census records Bernard aged 6, living with his parents, sisters Florence (8), and Bertha (4), half-sisters, Phyllis Partridge (12), Lillian Partridge (11) and Evelyn Partridge (9) at, The Woodman (PH), Hammond Street, Cheshunt, Herts.
He was educated at Hertford Grammar School.
1911 Census, Bernard (16) had left school and was working as a Clerk at a Bank, living with his parents, sisters, Florence (18), and Bertha (14), half-sisters Lillian Partridge (21) and Evelyn Partridge (19), still at The Woodman (PH). The family had two boarders.
In 1912 Bernard enlisted at Waltham Cross, in the Hertfordshire Regiment, Territorial Force, (TF) and issued with the service number 1953 (later 265205).
Wartime Service
At the out break of war Bernard was still serving with the Hertfordshire Regiment TF, he volunteered for overseas service, as it was not compulsory for Territorial Force soldiers to serve overseas.
The 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment left Bury St. Edmonds by train on 5th November 1914. Sailed from Southampton aboard the SS City of Chester, arriving at Le Havre, France, the following morning 6th November 1914. They disembarked about mid-day and marched the 31/2 miles to No2. Rest Camp.
The Hertfordshire Regiment remained on the Western Front for the duration of the war.
In May 1915, Bernard received a Gun Shot Wound (GSW) to his thigh and was admitted to 4th Stationary Hospital, St Omar, France, for treatment. On his recovery he returned to his Battalion in the field.
He was Killed in Action on 30th July 1916, aged 20, while with the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He is buried in the CWGC Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Lougueval, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a dependents pension of 5/- a week from 20th March 1917.
His effects of £1-15-8, pay owing and his war gratuity of £9, were Grantee to the Public Trust.
His Headstone inscription "FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE" was requested by his sister Mrs. Florence Oliver.
He has two medal cards. The first records he served with the Herts Reg with the service number 1953, arrived in France on 6th November 1914, was K in A on 30/7/16, and awarded the 1914 Star. The second records he served with the Herts Reg with the service number 1953, and Beds and Herts Reg with the service number 265205 and was awarded the British War and the Victory Medals.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Malcolm Lennox, Jonty Wild
