Corporal John William Herbert MM
354179 Royal Army Medical Corps, 1/3rd East Lancashire Field Ambulance
Lived at 34 Cardinall Street

London Gazette 12th December 1917

Herbert was a native of Manchester, Lancashire, he had been living at Burnley, Lancashire, since he was a young child.

Born on the 4 January 1880 at Harpurhey, Manchester, Lancashire.

He married Mary Jane Almond on the 13 July 1899 at the Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Burnley, Lancashire.

On the 1939 Register he was living with his second wife, Janet, at 21, Booth House Road, Luddenfoot, Yorkshire.

The Burnley Express of 6 October 1954, reported, DEATH OF MAYOR'S FATHER. The death occurred on Monday at his home at Luddendenfoot of Mr. John William Herbert, father of Alderman J. Herbert, the Mayor of Burnley. Mr. Herbert, who resided at 21, Booth house Road was 74 years of age and had been ill for some time.

In his younger days Mr. Herbert was employed by the Burnley Corporation tramways undertaking before becoming an inspector of the tramway service at Wakefield. Whilst at the latter undertaking he was commended for his action in saving a number of lives in an incident concerning a runaway tram.

MILITARY MEDALIST.

He saw service with the R.A.M.C, in the First World War in the Dardanelles and France, being awarded the Military Medal for bravery under fire. Until his health prevented it, he never missed the Armistice Day parades of the Old Contemptibles' Association. Mr. Herbert lived in the Burnley Lane district for a long number of years, and before leaving was a loom over looker. He took a similar position in the Yorkshire town. He had been looking forward to seeing his son installed as Mayor of Burnley but was unfortunately prevented by illness from attending the function.

Mr. Herbert leaves a widow and two sons, his first wife having died in 1931.

John William Herbert died on the 4 October 1954.

John William Herbert arrived in Egypt on the 14 November 1914 with the 42nd (East Lancashire) Field Ambulance and subsequently served in Gallipoli, Sinai Desert, Belgium and France. In addition to his Military Medal he was entitled to the 1914/15 Star and British War and Victory Medals. He was discharged on the 9 May 1920.

(Courtesy of Dave Ingham)