Allied Victory Medal

Herbert was born in Manchester in 1891. His father, Henry, worked as a boiler fireman, and his mother was called Margaret. They lived at 90 Eccleshall Street in Prestwich. Herbert had a younger brother called Walter who was born in 1893.

Herbert enlisted with the 20th (Service) Battalion of the Manchester Regiment during the First World War. Also known as the 5th City Battalion, this was a ‘pals battalion’ of Manchester lads who enlisted, trained and fought together. He was given the service number 18044.

The 20th Battalion landed in France in November 1915. After a period of training they arrived at the front lines near Fricourt in February 1916. They were part of the 7th Division, along with other battalions of the Manchester Pals. On the 1st July 1916 they saw action on the first day of the Somme Offensive. They secured Fricourt but suffered heavy casualties.

At some point Herbert transferred to the 25th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment and given a new service number 24116. This was a training and reserve battalion based in Formby near Liverpool.

It is known that Herbert survived the war but details of his later life are limited. He died in the January of 1956.

Herbert was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal for his service during the First World War. However, only the Victory Medal is known to have survived. It was donated to the museum collections in 2014.