Early Life :

Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

The Battle of the Somme 1st July - 18th November 1916 is inevitably characterised by the appalling casualties (60,000) on the first day, July 1st 1916. Having failed to break through the German lines in force, and also failed to maximise opportunities where success was achieved, the battle became a series of attritional assaults on well defended defence in depth. The battle continued officially until 18th November 1916 costing almost 500,000 British casualties. German casualties were about the same, and French about 200,000. The Somme could not be counted a success in terms of ground gained or the cost, but it had a strategic impact as it marked the start of the decline of the German Army. Never again would it be as effective whilst the British Army, learning from its experience eventually grew stronger to become a war winning army. The German High Command recognised that it could never again fight another Somme, a view that advanced the decision to invoke unrestricted submarine warfare in an attempt to starve Britain of food and material, and in doing so accelerated the United States declaration of war thus guaranteeing the eventual outcome. 287 Brethren were killed on the Somme in 1916.

Detail :

The date on which Herbert died leads to questions. His medal record shows 15th November 1916, months out. Probate considers 16th September 1916, despite contemporary newspaper accounts stating the 17th September. The latter is not supported by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission record, but its Graves Registration report form does, and therefore this project accepts the 17th as the date for this record.

Hendon & Finchley Times 29th September 1916 - "SECOND-LIEUTENANT H.W. HANBURY, Middlesex Regiment, who fell on September 17th, after some days of hard fighting, was the only son of Mr. J.J. Hanbury, J.P., C.C., and Mrs. Hanbury, of Cricklewood. He was 40 years old, and was educated at King's College School and London University, where he secured the medal for engineering, afterwards serving an apprenticeship at the works of the North British Locomotive Company. By examination he was elected an associate member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, and at Glasgo he was engaged for several years on work for the South African Railways. Soon after the war opened Mr. Hanbury joined the Inns of Court O.T.C., and upon the completion of his training with that unit obtained his commission in the Middlesex Regiment. After passing int he first class at Camberley Staff College and at Hythe in musketry, he was promoted to captain (temp.) on his becoming a musketry instructor."

Grace's Guide shows a 1917 obituary: "HERBERT WOOD HANBURY, born at Leeds on the 22nd June, 1876, was killed in action in France on the 17th September, 1916. He gained experience at Messrs. Neilson, Reid and Company's locomotive works, Glasgow, and subsequently acted as assistant to his father on inspection work for the Cape Government Railways.After a visit to the St. Louis Exhibition, he purchased a printing and publishing business, and under the style of Hanbury, Tomsett and Company carried it on for some 9 years at Kensal Rise.At the outbreak of war he received his commission in the Middlesex Regiment. As a musketry instructor he was promoted temporary captain, and wrote a manual on “Aiming and Firing.” He was elected an Associate Member on the 3rd December, 1901."

Masonic :

Joined Middlesex Lodge from the Scottish Constitution on 18th March 1908. Past Master

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The (UK) National Archives
• Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
• ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Additional Source:

• Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
• Researcher : Bruce Littley