Year of birth: 1897

Place of birth: Coleford, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom

Last known residence: English Bicknor, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom

Country: England, United Kingdom

Force: British Expeditionary Force

Rank: Lance Corporal

Service number: 260289

Enlistment place: Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom

Units:  —  Gloucestershire Regiment, 12th Bn. (Bristol)  (Last known unit)

Date of death: 04/10/1917

Place of death: Cameron House, Belgium

Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.)

Age: 20

British War Medal Medal

Victory Medal Medal

Hebert (Bert) Gwilliam was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Gwilliam. He was born around 1897 in Coleford, Gloucestershire. Shortly after his birth, his mother Elizabeth died. His father Thomas passed away in September 1917. Herbert enlisted in the British Army and joined the 12th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (95th Brigade, 5th Division).

Herbert was killed on 4 October 1917, during the Battle of Broodseinde. The 95th Brigade started the attack that day around Carlisle Farm and Northampton Farm. Its aim was to take the line between Juniper Hill and Château. The 12th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment was deployed as reserve troops for the 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment. They suffered heavy casualties. The battalion, with the exception of the A company, took over the line near Northampton Farm via Jut Farm to Cameron House held by the 1st Battalion Surrey Regiment. The C company was deployed as reinforcements to the 1st Battalion Devon Regiment, suffering heavy casualties. During the attack, the entire 95th Brigade suffered from heavy shelling. German artillery was very active throughout the operation.

The actions on 4 October 1917 cost the 12th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment whole about 155 casualties. Among them was also Herbert Gwilliam. His body was recovered near Cameron House after the war. He was reburied in Tyne Cot Cemetery (plot XLIII, row B, grave 3).

12 Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1580/1). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used

British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO372). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used

Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG13). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used

Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used

Grist, R. A Gallant Country: The Regiments of Gloucestershire in the Great War (Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military, 2018), 210-211. Sources used

Hussey, A.H. & Inman, D.S. The Fifth Division in the Great War (London: Nisbet & Co Ltd., 1921), 178-179. Sources used

Littlewood, P.R. Gallantry Awards to the Gloucestershire Regiment 1914-1918 (Londen: Spink, 2005), 148. Sources used

McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), 119. Sources used

Soldier's Effects records (National Army Museum, Chelsea (NAM) 1901-60; NAM Accesion Number: 1991-02-333). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used

War Office and Air Ministry: Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War(the National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 329). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/462999

Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=23195617-daec-4621-8020-456a368f3fe4

Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/1505349