Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Edward Herbertson was born at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham in 1894, the youngest son of William and Ellen Herbertson, deceased, he lived at 3, Simpson’s Buildings, Felling Shore, Gateshead, with his brothers David born 1877, James born 1880 and sister Mary Lizzie born 1881.
On the outbreak of war he left his employment as a labourer to enlist at Felling, August 6th 1914, aged 20 years 11 months, assigned as Private 13971 Durham Light Infantry, joining the Regiment at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. After initial training near home Private Herbertson was one of over 4,000 recruits that left Newcastle for Bullswater Camp near Pirbright, Surrey, September 16th 1914. Once arrived they were divided into the 12th and 13th Battalions D.L.I. and the 10th and 11th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers, he was allocated to the 12th Battalion Durham Light infantry. The recruits began their training wearing their own clothes until blue serge uniforms were issued and obsolete rifles. By November the rain had made Bullswater Camp unusable and they were moved to Malplaquet Barrack at Aldershot and later to Ashford in Kent before returning to Bullswater come the spring. February 1915 they were issued with khaki uniforms, leathers and rifles and training began in earnest, by July 1915 it was complete and they were ready to go overseas.
August 26th Private Herbertson departed as part of the British Expeditionary Force 12th Battalion D.L.I. attached to the 68th Brigade, 23rd Division, landing in France. Within days they were in the front line trenches but were spared the disastrous Battle of Loos and spent the rest of the 1915 and 1916 in the trenches at Armentieres and Souchez.
November 24th 1915 he was taken by the 69th Field Ambulance serving with the 23rd Division to be treated for eczema, he returned to duty in the field December 12th 1915. A few months later, February 1st 1916, he wrote a letter to the War Office requesting that the allotment of his separation allowance be transferred to his brother James, as his sister Mary Lizzie had died.
Private 13971 Edward Herbertson Durham Light Infantry died of wound received in action June 7th 1916 and interred at Barlin Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, grave I. B. 18, used for burials by the 6th Casualty Clearing Station as of March 1916. He was 22 years old.
At the time of his death his brother David was serving as Driver SS/5242, 35th Labour Corps Army Service Corps (Naval) and requested that Edward’s medals consisting of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal be retained by the War Office until his return from active duty. Edward’s personal effects were sent to James Herbertson at Simpson’s Buildings, October 20th 1916, with a nota bene, “who should be informed that the articles are the equal property of himself and brother David”. His brothers also received all monies due to him by the Army.
May 2nd 1917 administration (with will) of Edward’s effects was granted to James Herbertson-labourer, in the sum of 200 pounds 17 shillings and 4 pence.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 23/6/1916:
"Private Edward Herbertson, D.L.I., of 3 Simpson's Buildings, Felling Shore, died of wounds on June 7th. Son of the late William and Ellen Herbertson."
Edward Herbertson is remembered at Felling on F32.06 and F32.24
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 144
