Herbert Godbert Senior

[Allan Senior]

Hello, first post.
My great uncle fell 28.5.18 from injuries sustained at Marne the previous day.
I’ve learned he was attached to the Berkshire regiment at the time.
Could there be more I can find out and, if so, where should I look?
Any pointers gratefully received.
Allan Senior.

[sphinx]

Allan,

Firstly I would search the War Diary of the 2nd Bn. The Royal Berkshire Regiment where a note should have been made about his wounds/death , he being an officer.

Secondly search for any books about the 2nd Berks in the Great War, he could be in that.

Lastly his service papers may still exist, but all officers papers remain with the MOD and application is at a cost.  The chances are they may have been disposed of as he was a casualty but they refund your money if they dont have them.

I should say that if he was only attached to the 2nd Berks close to his death, it would be worth checking the War Diary of the 8th (Ardwick) Bn. The Manchester Regiment to see what mentions he gets prior to that.

regards

[charlie]

Allan,
Welcome to the forum.

Further to the good advice from Sphinx, your G Uncle arrived at the Royal Berkshires on 17.04.1918 while they were in divisional reserve at Lamotte Brebiere.

His service record is at the National Archives
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C731451

An enquiry was made to the Red Cross regarding his fate/whereabouts, a negative reply was sent to, I presume his Father, on 12.07.1918.

Charlie

[Allan Senior]

Sphinx, Charlie, I’m indebted to you both.
My Uncle, Herbert’s nephew, has a vast trunk of family photographs from the first half 20th c and is convinced of a uniformed photo of Herbert. If any are found i’ll post.
I’ve requested a page check from national archive.
Herbert’s family home in Wilmslow is/was a stone’s throw from the station. Would his last journey to the Front have been from there? If his regimental movements are available I’ll check as Sphinx suggested.
Charlie, that Red Cross info is particularly moving, is there a link?
Thanks once again.
Allan.

[charlie]

Allan,
The RC information is only from the index cards, they hold no further information.
https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Details/370898/3/2/

The original correspondence was destroyed when the cards were made out.

Charlie

Edit: As he was only awarded the British War and Victory Medals he first served overseas on or after 01.01.1916. His efffects amounted to £140 17s 6d the sum would have been paid to his NoK. A transcription of the Berkshires War Diary is available here - click on research then War Diaries
http://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/home
Unfortunately the Appendi appear not to have been transcribed.  Appendix A is attached.

[Keith Brannen]

There is no mention of him in the 1/8th (Ardwick) Battalion War Diary 1917-1918. As well, I checked the Nominal Roll Of Officers that were in the Appendices and he is not listed. There were listings for April and November 1917, and for March 1918. Either he was with them prior to 1917, or possibly he was with the 2/8th or even the 3/8th (reserves in England).

[charlie]

He isn‘t mentioned in the 2/8th Bn War Diary either.

He was commisioned from Manchester University OTC on 23.12.1915
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29411/supplement/12789

And Gazetted Lt with seniority from 01.07.1917
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30351/supplement/11003

[PhilipG]

The 2nd Royal Berkshires were part of 25th Brigade of the 8th Division, together with the 2nd East Lancs. and the 2nd Rifle Brigade.   After the terrific battles of March and April 1918, the British Army transferred some divisions to the Chemin des Dames front for rest, training and absorption of reinforcements, becoming part of lX Corps attached to the French 6th Army of the Aisne.

Deemed a quiet area, it was soon apparent that this was not to be the case, for the German Army went on the offensive on the 27th May 1918, pushing the Allies back to the Chateau Thierry area.     At one o'clock on the morning of the 27th May a tremendous German bombardment took place.   The Royal Berks. were holding the line north of Berry-au-Bac with the 2nd Rifle Brigade on their right flank with the 2nd East Lancs. in support.

It was apparent from a "pigeon message" received by Divisional HQ., that despite trying to hold on, the battalion was being attacked on all sides by an overwhelming number of the enemy, including some tanks.     It must have been during this period that Lt.Senior was wounded and subsequently died.  PhilipG.

[Allan Senior]

Thank you all.
I’ll post what the National Archive reveals and a photograph, hopefully.
Allan.

[Tim Bell]

Missing list in MEN 10/6/1918

[Tim Bell]

Wounded with Royal Warks in Sept 1917.
Army & Navy Gazette of 27/10/1917 records 2/Lt H G Senior as killed or died of wounds.

[timberman]

Hello Allan

Welcome to the forum.

Hope the following helps.

He was commissioned 21 Nov 1915, and joined the 8th Bn  from the 3rd Bn in 1916.
Although listed as being a 2nd Lieutenant with the 8th he was attached to the
5th Battalion the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

In 1917 he w as still listed with the 8th as a Lieutenant but attached to the
5th Battalion the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

In 1918 still listed with 8th but now attached to the 2nd Battalion
Royal Berkshire Regiment.

From SDGW (date is wrong)

Name:   Herbert Godbert Senior
Death Date:   28 May 1919
Rank:   Lieutenant
Regiment:   Manchester Regiment
Battalion:   8th (Ardwick) Battalion (Territorial)
Type of Casualty:   Killed in action

The date of 28 may 1919 is also on his MIC.

From find a grave.

Birth:    1896
Chorlton-Cum-Hardy
Metropolitan Borough of Manchester
Greater Manchester, England
Death:    May 28, 1918, France

Lieutenant 8th Bn. Manchester Regiment.
Fell in France. Place of burial is unknown.

Burial:
Wilmslow Cemetery
Wilmslow
Cheshire East Unitary Authority
Cheshire, England

Click on the photo's to make them bigger.

From the CWGC site

He is remembered on the SOISSONS MEMORIAL,

Lieutenant SENIOR, HERBERT GODBERT

Died 28/05/1918

Aged 21

8th Bn.
Manchester Regiment

attd. 2nd Bn.
Royal Berkshire Regiment

Son of Herbert and Harriet Senior, of Bollinholme, Wilmslow, Cheshire.

Timberman

[charlie]

I couldn‘t find him in the War Diary for the 1/5th or 2/5th Royal Warwicks between July and October 1917.

There is another RC index card for him but with surname Godbert
https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Details/3617736/3/2/

Charlie

[charlie]

The date given by Timberman for the date of his Commission is the correct one. A correction was published in the Gazette in January 1916.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29439/page/643

[Allan Senior]

Found.