Trafford

Born at Aberdeen in 1891.   Due to "Scotland's People" charges, I am unable
to list the Scottish BMD & census records.

1901 Census - Presumably at Aberdeen.   

1911 Census - Presumably at Aberdeen.     His Sister - Mrs. Helen Fielding
was residing at 402 Liverpool Road, Irlam in 1911.

Reported as missing in the 04/08/1916 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.

I am most grateful to Neil Drum & Pete Thomas for allowing me to use
verbatim the following extract from their superb 623 page book "A District
at War - Irlam & Cadishead's Part in the Great War", an incredibly detailed
and comprehensive book that is not only a credit to them, but a magnificent
memorial to the WW1 men of that district.

Served in 5 Platoon, 'B' (Eccles) Company of the 16th (Service) Battalion
(2nd Salford), The Lancashire Fusiliers, 96th Brigade, 32nd Division.   The
battalion was one of the famous "Salford Pals" Battalions and 'B' Company
consisted of men mainly from Eccles and surrounding districts.  Herbert was
born in Aberdeen, the son of William and Helen Strachan.  He resided with
his sister, Mrs Fielding, at 520 Liverpool Road, Irlam and worked at the
British Westinghouse Company, Trafford Park.   He enlisted into the
Lancashire Fusiliers at Salford in November 1914. One year later he sailed
with the battalion to France, arriving on 22nd November 1915.  On the first
day of the Somme the 16th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers were
wrongly informed that the 15th Battalion had got into the village of
Thiepval and needed help.  The 16th unsuccessfully assaulted the strong
German positions around Thiepval, losing eight officers and 223 men on the
first day alone.  Herbert was one of those killed in action at Thiepval on
Saturday, 1st July 1916.  In an attempt to gain information, his sister
wrote to Captain Tweed, his Commanding Officer, who explained that Herbert
had been seen during the attack with three gunshot wounds, which looked
serious.   He had no further news but offered little hope.  Herbert's death
was not officially confirmed until almost a year later in June 1917.  His
body was later recovered and buried in Connaught Cemetery, Somme, France. 
His obituary in the newspaper read:  "And with the morn these angels faces
smile, which I have loved long since and lost awhile - sadly missed by
their sorrowing sisters, Mrs Milne (Aberdeen) and Mrs Fielding".    Medal
Entitlement: 15 Star Trio.