Information about birth

Year of birth:
1888
Place of birth:
Harwood, Bolton, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

General information

Profession:
Bleacher

Army information

Country:
England, United Kingdom
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Corporal
Service number:
240772
Enlistment date:
11/09/1914
Enlistment place:
Bolton, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom
Units:
 —  Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, 1/5th Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
31/07/1917
Place of death:
California, Wieltje, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
29

Memorial

Tyne Cot Memorial
Panel: 43A

Distinctions and medals 3

1914-15 Star
Medal — 23/07/1920
British War Medal
Medal — 18/07/1920
Victory Medal
Medal — 18/07/1920

Points of interest 2

#1 Place of birth
#2 Enlistment place

My story

Herbert Hulme was born in 1888 in Harwood, Bolton, Lancashire. According to his service record he worked as a bleacher in a textile factory. In September 1914 Herbert enlisted as a volunteer. By the summer of 1917 he served as a corporal in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, 1/5th Battalion, part of the 166th Brigade, of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division.

On 31 July 1917, the 55th Division took part in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, the opening stage of the Third Battle of Ypres. At 3.50 a.m., zero hour, the Division advanced from the hamlet of Wieltje, with three Brigades. Of the 166th brigade, the 1/5th Royal Lancaster, on the right, and the 1/5th Loyal North Lancaster, on the left, were the first to advance. The 1/5th Loyal North attacked a Trench system, dubbed California, penetrating the defenses 400 yards beyond the German third line. After the Battalion had consolidated a line in front of Bossaert Farm (Blue Line), the attack was resumed and the following two objectives (the Black and Green Line) were also captured. In the afternoon the Germans counter-attacked and the 166th brigade was forced to fall back to the Black Line. The men held these positions till the 1st of August, when they were relieved by the 36th (Ulster) Division.

Corporal Herbert Hulme was killed in action on 31 July 1917. The 29-year old possibly fell during the attack on the California Trench system. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Herbert Hulme left behind a wife and a daughter.

Files 2

Sources 3

1/5 Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2929/1).
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14303
Further reference
McCarthy C., Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Uniform, 2018), pg. 28-29.
Sources used
Wylly H.C., The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, (Londen, The Royal United Service Institution, 1933), pg. 209-210.
Sources used

More information 3