Name
Herbert William Rolph
1887
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/07/1917
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
901578
Royal Field Artillery
222nd Bde
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BAGHDAD (NORTH GATE) WAR CEMETERY
XIV. L. 9
Iraq
Headstone Inscription
WE HAVE LOST HEAVEN HAS GAINED ONE OF THE BEST THE WORLD CONTAINED
UK & Other Memorials
St Albans Citizens Memorial, Town Hall (old) Memorial, St Albans, Not on the Hemel Hempstead memorials, Not on the Flamstead memorials
Pre War
Herbert William Rolph was born in 1887 in Flamstead, Herts, the son of Frrederick and Jane Rolph.
On the 1891 Census the family were living as lodgers at the home of Abraham and Margaret Boughton at 6 Grove Terrace, Regents Park Road, Finchley, where his father was working as a labourer. By 1901 they had moved 29 College Place, St Albans where his father was working as a Miller's Carman, and they remained in St Albans in 1911 but had moved to 65 Cannon Street. At that time Herbert was working as a Plasterer,
He married Emily May Martin in early 1916 in St Albans. They had a son Herbert Frederick born on 14 February 1917 and were living at 65 Cannon Street, St Albans (presumably with his parents).
Wartime Service
He enlisted at St Albans and served with the 222 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner, initially under reg. no. 1819, later changed to 901578.
He died of heatstroke whilst on active service and is buried in Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq.
Additional Information
His father, Mrs E M Rolph, 65 Cannon St, St Albans, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: “WE HAVE LOST HEAVEN HAS GAINED ONE OF THE BEST THE WORLD CONTAINED”. His widow received a war gratuity of £7 10s and pay owing of £4 5s 11d. She also received a pension of 18s 9d a week.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Gareth Hughes
