Name
Herbert William Bray
1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/06/1916
28 years
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
1793
Hertfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
AIRE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
I. D. 17.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Inscription on Headstone
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, Hatfield Hyde Village Memorial, St. Mary Magdalene, Church Memorial, Hatfield Hyde, Welwyn Garden City Memorial, Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Herbert William Bray was born in Hatfield Hyde, Herts in 1888, son of Arthur Bray (B 1857 in Hatfield) and Sarah Jane Bray (nee Keeling) (B 1862 in Marden, Mon, Wales). One of 10 Children. Baptised on 3rd February 1889, in Sandridge, Herts.
1891 Census records Herbert aged 3, staying with his Grandparents John and Mary Keeling in Hatfield Road, St Peters, St Albans.
1901 Census records Herbert is listed by his second name, William and at school, and back living with his parents, and 8 siblings in Hatfield Hyde. His father was working as a stationary engine driver
1911 Census records Hebert aged 23, single, still living at home with his parents at 4 Sandpit Cottages in Hatfield Hyde, with 6 family members. His occupation is given as a Stationery Engine Stoker on a farm. (working on the Salisbury Estate).
In February 1912, he enlisted into the Hertfordshire Regiment Territorial Force for 4 years. Herbert’s apparent age was 24 when he enlisted; his trade, engine driver working for Lord Salisbury. He gave his address as, 4 Sandpit Cottages, Hatfield Hyde. He was single. Herbert was in excellent health and was 5ft 9in. tall. His relatives were listed, Father, Arthur and Mother, Sarah Annie, & 3 brothers and 5 sisters.
Officially recorded as born in and was living in Hatfield Hyde when he enlisted in Hatfield.
Wartime Service
He was mobilised for war service in September 1914.
The Battalion War Diaries show the Battalion left "Bury St Edmunds" in two trains on 5th November 1914, embarking at Southampton aboard the "SS City of Chester" for Le Havre, France, arriving midday on 6th November 1914. They marched 3.5 miles to Rest Camp No.2.
Herbert was wounded in November 1914, and admitted to No 4 Field Hospital on 16th November 1914 and then transferred to Rouen no 10 general hospital on 19/11/1914 and then discharged to convalescence 03/12/1914. Transferred to H.S. Asturias 08/12/1914. According to the record he was at home 09/12/1914 returning to France 18/04/1915. Re-joining his Battalion on 28th April 1915.
He was appointed Lance Corporal on 25th May 1915 attached for duty with 13th Gloucestershire Regt and then Corporal on 12th April 1916.
He was again wounded in action on 19th June 1916. He died of these wounds at 5.30am on the Hospital Barge No. 108, in France on 21st June 1916. (It is believed he received GSWs to the thigh area).
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of September 1914 in the 1st List of Men Mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “Bray, Herbert William – Hyde – Territorials”. The in July 1916 recorded: (just named William) “William Bray, 1st Herts. Regt. attached 13th Gloucester’s is reported “Died of wounds.” The loss of this brave young soldier is very grievous for his Father and Mother and for his fiancée, Miss Kenny. Deep sympathy is felt for them in their great sorrow. No details are yet to hand.”
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £9 10s and pay owing of £8 10s 6d. His mother received a pension (amount unknown) until her death in 1923.
His Victory Medal, British War Medal & 1914 Star and Clasp issued for 1914 Star to his father in April 1920.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Bray (Mother) of 4 Sandpit Cottages, Hatfield Hyde received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne, Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, Brenda Palmer, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk),
