Cpl
Herbert Hulme
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.
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.
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
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1615369 |
Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=93cf654d-7bc3-474e-b143-3320832c362b |
Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/2556264 |