Name
Herbert Cecil Brian
23 December 1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/05/1915
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
Royal Garrison Artillery
59th Siege Battery
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RUE-DU-BOIS MILITARY CEMETERY, FLEURBAIX
II. E. 10
France
Headstone Inscription
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH
UK & Other Memorials
Berkhamsted Town Memorial, St Peter’s Church Plaque, Berkhamsted, Berkhamsted School Memorial, Berkhamsted
Pre War
Herbert Cecil Brian was born in Abbassich, Cairo, Egypt on 23 December 1891, the son of Hyla Edwin and Annie Brian, and one of six children. He was baptised on 5 August 1892 at St Mary's Church, Oxted, Surrey. His father worked in the Egyptian Civil Service.
He was educated at Berkhamsted School, leaving in 1910, followed by the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich.
On the 1911 Census his mother and siblings were living at Holmbury, Berkhamsted, but neither Herbert not his father were listed with them.
He was gazetted to the 18th Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery on 20 December 1912. He served in England as 2nd Lieutenant until June 1914 when he left to join the 59th Bty in India but returned to Portsmouth in December.
Wartime Service
Herbert was sent to the Western Front In March 1915 and took part in the action of Neuve Chapelle.
He was killed in action on 9 May 1915, aged 23, near Fromelles while performing the duty of forward observing officer in the trenches. His commanding officer wrote of him: ‘He was a splendid officer and absolutely fearless in the execution of his duty.’
He is buried in Rue-du-Bois Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, France.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £35 and pay owing of £5 19s 3d.
His younger brother, Arthur, was killed in 1916.
His parents later lived at Holmbury, Wadhurst, Sussex.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jo Bayley
