Page 192 - ATKCM_30.04.15
P. 192
end of that year to George Eddings and they moved to the
small village of Holme between Peterborough and Huntingdon.
Herbert’s next move was to Bermuda for 18 months, returning
home in October 1905. After another short spell in England,
during which he was promoted to Lance Corporal, he was sent
to India for three and a half years.
He finished his nine years service in England in 1912 and went
on to the army reserve.
When war was declared on 4th August 1914, Herbert was
immediately recalled into the KRRC and goes with them and
the early BEF to France on 12th August 1914.
They went straight into the thick of the early battles and Herbert
died of his wounds on 2nd November 1914 – just three months
after he had crossed the Channel.
The KRRC were defending against heavy German attacks
at Gheluvelt near the Menin Road with the Germans having
significantly superior numbers and artillery. The battle went
on from 29th to 31st October 1914 and it is likely that Herbert
received his fatal wounds here before succumbing to them on
2nd November.
He is buried at the Messines Ridge British Cemetery grave
V1.A.48
Back home in England his mother and 20-year-old fiancée,
Florence Sams, were becoming increasingly concerned about
the lack of letters from Herbert. The regimental file has letters
from both the fiancée and the vicar of Holme asking for any
news to try and relieve their anxiety. The news, when it came
was not good.
Mrs Eddings is not aware at that date that it will be only another
three months before she receives the news that her only other
son, James, has also died in France.
SHARPE James
Private 322537 Royal Army Service Corps
James was born in Kings Cliffe in early 1883. Eight years later
he was living with his grandfather, Charles Sharpe, at The
190
small village of Holme between Peterborough and Huntingdon.
Herbert’s next move was to Bermuda for 18 months, returning
home in October 1905. After another short spell in England,
during which he was promoted to Lance Corporal, he was sent
to India for three and a half years.
He finished his nine years service in England in 1912 and went
on to the army reserve.
When war was declared on 4th August 1914, Herbert was
immediately recalled into the KRRC and goes with them and
the early BEF to France on 12th August 1914.
They went straight into the thick of the early battles and Herbert
died of his wounds on 2nd November 1914 – just three months
after he had crossed the Channel.
The KRRC were defending against heavy German attacks
at Gheluvelt near the Menin Road with the Germans having
significantly superior numbers and artillery. The battle went
on from 29th to 31st October 1914 and it is likely that Herbert
received his fatal wounds here before succumbing to them on
2nd November.
He is buried at the Messines Ridge British Cemetery grave
V1.A.48
Back home in England his mother and 20-year-old fiancée,
Florence Sams, were becoming increasingly concerned about
the lack of letters from Herbert. The regimental file has letters
from both the fiancée and the vicar of Holme asking for any
news to try and relieve their anxiety. The news, when it came
was not good.
Mrs Eddings is not aware at that date that it will be only another
three months before she receives the news that her only other
son, James, has also died in France.
SHARPE James
Private 322537 Royal Army Service Corps
James was born in Kings Cliffe in early 1883. Eight years later
he was living with his grandfather, Charles Sharpe, at The
190
