Name
Herbert James Compton
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/02/1915
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
10371
Royal Scots
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 11.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Watford memorials
Pre War
Son of Emma COMPTON. Herbert was born 14 March 1892 in Watford, and baptised 8 September 1893 at St Mary’s, Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 9 he lived in Watford, the adopted son of Henry and Hannah EVETT. On the 1911 Census, he is proving elusive.
He originally attested for the Militia 25 July 1907: a stableman at Watford Steam Laundry aged 18, 5’3″ tall, C of E, his next-of-kin his foster parents Harry and Hannah EVETT of Watford. Deemed to have improperly enlisted whilst serving in the 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, he was held to serve in the 5th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (no. 7286) 16 September 1907. He attested again 16 August 1908 for six years service in the Army Reserve (Special Reservists), a stableman aged 19, 5’5″ tall, already in the Royal Fusiliers, from which he was released in consequence of having enlisted into the Royal Scots 21 September 1908. Was employed as a clerk in the Allahabad Brigade Office from 1910 to 1913 and had, since February 1914, been undergoing a course of railway duties, during which time he was awarded two Good Conduct badges (21 September 1910 and 21 September 1913).
Recorded as born and enlisting in Watford.
Wartime Service
Presumably recalled from the Reserve, he went with the B.E.F. to France 4 February 1915; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1014-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 4 February 1915, and was killed in action at Voormezeele.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
