Name
Herbert Gillians
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/05/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
43572
South Staffordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SOISSONS MEMORIAL
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
We are not aware of any memorial in Bells Hill
Pre War
Herbert was born in Bells Hill, Barnet on 1899 to Charles Gillians, a general labourer, and Mary (nee Burgess). Herbert had 3 Brothers and 2 sisters.
On the 1901 census the family were living at Bentley Cottages, Mays Lane, Barnet. On the 1911 Census Herbert was aged 12, the family had moved to 2, St Stephens Road, Bells Hill, Barnet and Herbert’s father was now working as a fishmonger.
Wartime Service
Herbert was enlisted as Private 43572 in the South Staffordshire Regiment and posted to 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion. This Battalion landed at Le Havre, France on 10 Oct 1917 in 25 Division. The 25 Div including South Staffs had been heavily involved in defending against the German Spring offensive and it is probable that Herbert joined the South Staffs as part of a large scale reinforcement. The Battalion was called upon in April 1918 for the Battles of Kemmel near Ypres, suffering more casualties.
In May 1918 they were relocated to Fisme near Soissons to relieve French troops in a ‘quiet’ sector to recuperate. However there was a large scale attack by the Germans on 27 May 1918. The fighting continued until the much depleted Division was withdraw and broken up on 9 June 1918 to reinforce other formations. During this fighting Herbert was reported as Missing, presumed dead on 31 May 1918. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Soissons Memorial.
Additional Information
Arrears of £6 3s 1d (inc. War Gratuity of £6) was paid to his father.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
