Pte
Herbert Tucker
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 14/02/1890 |
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Place of birth: Port de Grave, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada |
General information
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Profession: Fireman (steam engine) |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: Canada |
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Force: Canadian Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 51457 |
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Enlistment date: 23/10/1914 |
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Enlistment place: Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
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Units: — Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 08/05/1915 |
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Place of death: Bellewaerde Ridge, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 25 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: Panel 10. |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Herbert Tucker was born in 1890 in Port de Grave, Newfoundland, the son of William and Lavinia Tucker. Herbert worked as a fireman (steam engine) before volunteering. His father was employed as a fisherman.
On 23 October 1914, Herbert enlisted in Montreal, Quebec. In January 1915, he was assigned to the reinforcements of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. In the spring of 1915, his battalion was deployed at Ypres. On 8 May, the Battle of Frezenberg (8 - 13 May 1915) was fought by troops that had occupied the frontline for a fortnight. The early hours of the day were unnaturally quiet. Around 7 am, the German artillery opened fire. A little later, heavy guns joined in and a rain of shells came down on the entire Frezenberg Ridge area. The Patricia’s suffered heavy casualties. The situation became dire and the line was reinforced by every man that could carry a weapon. The reinforcements were send into the trenches to fill the gaps after which the German advance was slowed and checked. After a second attack, around 9 A.M., the battalion drove back the German troops and were able to hold their lines.
8 May 1915 would result in 93 dead, 79 missing and 203 wounded soldiers, in addition 10 officers also lost their lives or were wounded. A few days before, on 4 May, the Patricia's went into the line with 650 men.
Herbert was killed in action on 8 May 1915. He was buried in a common grave with his comrades at Bellewaerde Lake near Ypres. No cross had been erected. Sometime later, the cemetery fell into German hands. To this day Herbert Tucker has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Menin Gate.
On 23 October 1914, Herbert enlisted in Montreal, Quebec. In January 1915, he was assigned to the reinforcements of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. In the spring of 1915, his battalion was deployed at Ypres. On 8 May, the Battle of Frezenberg (8 - 13 May 1915) was fought by troops that had occupied the frontline for a fortnight. The early hours of the day were unnaturally quiet. Around 7 am, the German artillery opened fire. A little later, heavy guns joined in and a rain of shells came down on the entire Frezenberg Ridge area. The Patricia’s suffered heavy casualties. The situation became dire and the line was reinforced by every man that could carry a weapon. The reinforcements were send into the trenches to fill the gaps after which the German advance was slowed and checked. After a second attack, around 9 A.M., the battalion drove back the German troops and were able to hold their lines.
8 May 1915 would result in 93 dead, 79 missing and 203 wounded soldiers, in addition 10 officers also lost their lives or were wounded. A few days before, on 4 May, the Patricia's went into the line with 650 men.
Herbert was killed in action on 8 May 1915. He was buried in a common grave with his comrades at Bellewaerde Lake near Ypres. No cross had been erected. Sometime later, the cemetery fell into German hands. To this day Herbert Tucker has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Menin Gate.
Sources 3
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Personnel Records of the First World War (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG 150; Volume: Box 9809 - 34). https://library-archives.canada.ca/ Sources used |
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War diaries: Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG9-III-D-3, Volume number: 4911, Microfilm reel number: T-10703, File number: 346 ). https://library-archives.canada.ca/ Sources used |
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War Graves Registry: Commonwealth War Graves (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC): RG150, 1992-1993/314, Box 39-244; Box: 129 ). https://library-archives.canada.ca/ Sources used |
More information 4
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1596693 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=42fc2534-143f-40ac-a257-2832e54db2af |
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The Canadian Virtual War Memorial https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/1596693 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/5757635 |