Private Michael Herbert.
18444 2nd East Lancashire Regiment.
Killed in Action 31st July 1917, aged 35.
Michael was born in the Dec quarter of 1881, Burnley. The son of John Herbert and Catherine Quinn. In the 1891 census the family lived at 12 Barnes St, Burnley. John 40 labourer and born in Ireland, Catherine 36 born in Ireland, Anthony 14 beer bottler, Mary 13 weaver, John 11 office boy, Michael all born in Burnley.
The family was still living in Barnes St in the 1901 census. John 45, Catherine 44, Anthony 24, Mary 22, John 21, Michael 19.
Michael married Ellen Kershaw 16th June 1906, Burnley.
In the 1911 census Michael (29) and Ellen (33) and daughter Caroline lived at Lancaster St, Burnley.
From the Burnley Express dated 13th October 1917: Missing After Passing Clearing Station
The singular circumstances attaching to Private Michael Herbert, 18444, of the East Lancashire Regiment are causing anxiety to his wife who resides at 14 Lancaster Street Burnley. From An Officer she has heard that he was wounded and that he had passed the clearing station. He is now reported missing. Nothing has been heard of or from him since July 31st.
Private M Herbert joined the forces in January 1916, and went out 2-years ago last May. He is married with two children. His mother died last November. He was employed by Messrs’ Butterworth and Dickinson and was connected with St Mary's Roman Catholic Church. One brother is serving in France. Four of his cousins have been killed in the war.
From the Burnley Express dated 20th July 1918: MISSED AFTER PASSING CLEARING STATION. - BURNLEY SOLDIERS DEATH PRESUMED.
The singular circumstances attaching to Private Michael Herbert 18444, of the 2nd East Lancashire Regiment, whose wife resides at 14 Lancaster Street Burnley, have been cleared up by the official notification that he is presumed to have been killed in action on July 31st 1917.
at the time when we published previous particulars last October, Mrs Herbert had heard from An Officer that her husband was wounded and that he had passed the clearing station. He was reported missing. Nothing has been heard of or from him since July 31st. Private m Herbert join the forces in January 1916, and went out 2 years ago last May. He is married with two children. His mother died in November 1916. He was employed by Messrs’ Butterworth and Dickinson and was connected with St Mary's Roman Catholic Church. One brother is serving in France. Four of his cousins have been killed in the war.
Lived at 14 Lancaster Street.
Michael left his effects to his widow Ellen.
Michael was buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium: Grave Ref; V.A.9. Son of John and Catherine Herbert, of Burnley, England; husband of Ellen Herbert, of 84, Summer St., Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand.
"His widow Ellen and daughters Caroline and Ellen emigrated to New Zealand in 1921 after Michael had been killed in the war. Her address in New Zealand was 84 Summer street Ponsonby. Their descendants still live in New Zealand."
