Born on 21st July 1875 at Birstall his parents were Francis, an iron moulder, and Ada. They had two more children - Arthur in 1878 (but who sadly died before his first birthday) and Selina born in 1879. In 1881 the family were living in Gomersal but the following year Francis died. Ada was expecting at the time and gave birth to a son whom she named Francis Edward, however he died aged 3 in 1886. In 1891 Ada was living as wife to Joseph Thorpe in Wombwell. Herbert was a colliery pony driver.

In 1898 Herbert married Emma Handley at St Mary's Wombwell. They had 3 children in the 1901 census - Lily aged 3, Thomas 1 and Elizabeth 1 month and Herbert was a coal hewer. By the 1911 census three of their children had died and they had six children living with them. They were living in Walton near Wakefield but must have moved to Kirkhamgate later. In 1915 Herbert enlisted in the KOYLI and was at Clipstone Camp in Nottinghamshire which was one of the largest training camps in WW1. He died there on 2nd Nov 1915 aged 41.

Janet Wilsher