Name
Herbert George Rutland
1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/11/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
27569
Wiltshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POZNAN OLD GARRISON CEMETERY
III. B. 2.
Poland
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Herbert was born in 1899 and although officially he is recorded as born in Hitchin the censuses below record Gravenhurst, Bedfordshire. He was christened on 9 Apr 1899 in Holy Savior Church, Hitchin, his parents were George William and Mary Ann Elizabeth Rutland.
In 1901 the family were living at 6 Andrews Row, Hitchin. Present were both parents: George (34) and Mary (33), with George working as a contractors carman. Their children were: Hilda (9), Laura (3) and Herbert George (2) and Rossetta – 5 months. Herbert W, George’s brother (22) was also present.
By 1911 the family were living at 6 Anderson Row, Florence Street, Hitchin. Present were both parents, George now working as a general labourer. The census recorded they had been married for 19 years with 6 children, whom 2 had died. Of the children Hilda, Herbert, Rossetta were present, plus Ellen (8).
Before joining up he was employed by Messrs W.B. Moss & Son of Hitchin.
Officially recorded as born, living and enlisting in Hitchin.
Wartime Service
At some time he had served as 38565 in the Rifle Brigade but the circumstances are not known. He was called up on the 5th April 1917 and was in the 1st Battalion of the Regiment and held the Regimental Number 27569. He had only been in France for two-weeks when he was taken prisoner on the 10th April 1918 during the great German Spring Offensive and made to work behind the German firing line.
According to German records, he was captured on 10 April 1918 at Ploegsteert his mother given as Mary Rutland of 46 Highgate Road, Hitchin – possibly an error and in fact 46
He was originally reported as missing or wounded on the date that he was captured, but there must have been a long period of uncertainty and the British Red Cross & Order Of St John Enquiry List, records an enquiry dated 2/08/1918 as to his fate.
Due to starvation and ill-treatment he was removed to Friedrichsfelde Camp where he died from pneumonia possibly brought on by the influenza epidemic which was raging at the time.
He was buried in Plot 3, Row B, Grave 2 in the Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery in Poland.
He has an entry in the National Roll of the Great War – these were normally placed by family members using what they knew and are not always 100% correct. That records that he was taken prisoner during the retreat following the German Spring Offensive. They also believed that he was forced to work behind the German firing lines.
Additional Information
After his death £32 0s 2d pay owing was authorised to go to his father, George, on 14 October 1919, which included a war gratuity of £9.
His pension cards record his mother, Mary A E Rutland 46 Nightingale Road, Hitchin, as his next of kin. She was awarded a pension of 6s a week from 29 July 1919.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
