Name
Herbert Hazzard
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/04/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
3027
Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
1st/1st Bucks Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HEBUTERNE MILITARY CEMETERY
I. A. 17.
France
Headstone Inscription
UNTIL THE DAY BREAKS
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring
Pre War
Herbert Hazzard was born in Tring in 1894 to Fred Hazzard, bricklayer's labourer and Selina (nee Delderfield).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents and Herbert were living at 38, Western Road, Tring.
By the 1911 Census parents and Herbert ( a machinist for builder) were living at 18, Chapel Street, Tring.
Wartime Service
Herbert enlisted in the 1/1st Buckingham Battalion in Aylesbury around Nov 1914 as a Territorial Soldier, Private 3027. The 1/1st and 1/4th Battalions were both part of 145 (South Midland) Brigade in 48 (South Midland) Division. No Service Record was found for Herbert so the description that he served in 1st Battalion could apply the either Battalion. He went to France around on 30 Mar 1915 and was killed in action on 1st Apr 1916 while on a patrol between the Lines.
This from the regimental history: “On Sunday 26th March 1916, the Battalion moves in to ‘J’ section trenches at Hébuterne. On the night of 1st April a patrol of Bucks men encountered an enemy patrol of some fifty soldiers in no mans land. In the ensuing skirmish L/CPL Colbrook , Privates Hazzard and Webb were killed. The bodies of Webb and Hazzard lay for sometime between the enemy and our positions. When darkness fell, L/CPL Jennings and six men recovered the bodies but alas, Private Coleman was killed. Our patrol was led by Captains Combs and Aitkin who remarked that the men killed were regularly used for such patrols, because of their expertise and bravery on such operations.
All of the soldiers mentioned in the Regimental Report, lie buried next to each other in the cemetery which is situated on the edge of the village next to a farm.”
This from the Bucks Herald: “The Great War. Another Tring Man Killed in Action. − Tring’s Roll of Honour grows apace. Private Herbert Hazzard, of Chapel Street, Tring, enlisted in the 1st Bucks Territorials in November 1914, and has been in France twelve months. Before joining the army Herbert Hazzard was working for Messrs Honour and Son as a machinist. Last Thursday evening his parents received intimation that their son had fallen in action. Private Hazzard was well known in the town, where he was much liked, being a young man of steady character and amiable disposition.
The circumstances attending his death are related in the following letter to his father from the commanding officer of Private Hazzard’s company.: ‘2nd April 1916.
Dear Sir,− It is with very great regret and sorrow that I have to write to you to acquaint you with the fact that your son, Private H. Hazzard, of my company was killed in action last night. He was out on patrol with a number of his comrades and two officers. Our patrol met a large number of the enemy outnumbering us by more than two to one. A fight ensued in which your son threw his bombs with great effect. I am grieved to say that he was killed instantly, by being struck on his head with a piece of bomb. Your son was one of the best fellows in the world, and was absolutely fearless, and always cheery. It was not the first time by any means that your son had distinguished himself on patrol. He received special commendation from the General commanding the Division for his work during a patrol fight about a month ago.
Please accept my most sincere sympathy and the sympathy of all his comrades, both officers and men, in your sad loss. I have lost one of my best men in your son and I feel his loss most keenly. Yours truly, L. W. Crouch, Captain.’”
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £5 10s and arrears of £9 1s 5d was paid to his parents.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
