Name
Herbert Vincent Edney
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
46272
Royal Defence Corps
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Herbert Edney was listed in the Absent Voter Records for Abbots Langley in Autumn 1918 and Spring 1919. He was initially identified from the Absent Voter Records and was not recorded elsewhere in the Abbots Langley Parish records. In the Absent Voter Records Herbert was listed serving with the Royal Defence Corps, and his address was given at 2 Marlin Square, Abbots Langley. However as his Service Record subsequently noted his service with the Army was terminated on 25th October 1917.
Herbert’s Service Records have survived. On 20th July 1885 he joined the Kings Royal Rifle Corps at Winchester. At the time his occupation was given as a Painter. Herbert spent time in India from 25th November 1890 to 27th March 1893. He married Elizabeth Blundell on 7th April 1894 at Berkhamsted, and was discharged after twelve years’ service on 19th July 1897.
Herbert and Elizabeth had three children, in 1896, 1900 and 1905, and in the 1911 Census the family was recorded living at 13 New Street, Ellesmere Road, Berkhamsted Sunnyside. Herbert was employed as a Groundsman at the School Grounds.
On 14th October 1914 he attested to the 24th Rifle Brigade, and was posted to the Army Reserve until he was mobilised on 30th October 1915. He joined up with the 24th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, and was sent to India on 12th January 1916. The battalion records show that it reached Agra on 25th February 1916, and arrived at Sialkot on 19th February. The battalion remained in India until 29th November 1919 when it arrived back in England for dispersal. It had been employed on Internal Security duties at Jullundur, Amritsar, Lahore and Ferozepore, however Herbert had returned to England, arriving on 11th June 1917.
Herbert was transferred to the 2nd Battalion (Territorial Force) Royal Defence Corps on his return and was discharged on 25th October 1917 with “very good character”, as “No longer fit for War Service”, and was granted a Weekly Pension of 27/6 per week for four weeks. On 1st November 1917 Herbert was issued with a War Badge. War Badges were issued to military personnel who had been honourably discharged being considered permanently physically fit, to identify and explain why they were not in uniform and away at the War.
Herbert was born in the winter of 1867 at Swansea, and was baptised Vincent Herbert Edney. He was one of six children born to Joseph and Lucy Edney. In the 1871 Census the family lived at Neath, where Joseph was employed as a Railway Policeman. Joseph died in 1880 at Swansea , and by 1881 Lucy, who had been born at Hemel Hempstead, had moved the family to George Street, Northchurch near Berkhamsted. Herbert worked as a Factory Boy. By 1891 Lucy had married Edwin Smith. The family remained at the George Street address and three more children were born. However by 1891 Herbert had moved away and was serving in the Army.
Herbert Edney survived the War/
Additional Information
Formerly 24th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Discharged “No longer fit for War Service”
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org