1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 27360 Herbert Fell
- Age: 24
- From: Chester
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
- K.I.A Sunday 16th September 1917
- Commemorated at: Kemmel Chateau Mil Cem
Panel Ref: G.61
This soldier has proven very difficult to establish his true identity.
There is no trace of Herbert on the 1911 Census, though he may be at sea, as a H.J.Fell is a 2nd Mate aboard the Harrison Line SS Inanda from Las Palmas to London on the 14th September 1914.
By 1881 the family have moved to Garborough Cottages, Cockermouth. Robert is a 12 year old scholar living with his father, a 35 yeart old agricultural labourer and his siblings; Hannah aged 8, Richard aged 5 and Mary Ann aged 3.
In 1891 Robert is shown as a 23 year old farm servant living with the Armstrong family at Hill House, Wigton.
After moving down to Cheshire, Robert marries Alice Johnston at St Luke, Lower Tranmere in 1903. They have a son Robert William, birth registered in Prescot 1905.
Herbert enlisted in Knowsley on, or close to, 20th May 1915 as Private 27360, joining the 17th Battalion of THe King's Liverpool Regiment. It is likely that he was immediately billeted at Belton Park, Grantham. The 17th battalion remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.Herbert crossed to France with 'A' Coy of the 17th K.L.Rr. on 07th November 1915.
Joined AHTD (Advanced Horse Transport Depot) at Abbeville on 07/9/16.
16/9/17 Front Line Hollebeke Sector
At 10am our artillery put up a second practice barrage on enemy's line lasting 30 minutes. The enemy replied with a light barrage on our front and support lines. Casualties 1 other rank killed and one wounded.
Herbert now rests at Kemmel Chateau Cemetery, Belgium.
Kemmel Chateau was north-east of Kemmel village and the cemetery was established on the north side of the chateau grounds in December 1914. It continued to be used by divisions fighting on the southern sectors of the Belgian front until March 1918, when after fierce fighting involving both Commonwealth and French forces, the village and cemetery fell into German hands in late April. The cemetery was retaken later in the year, but in the interval it was badly shelled and the old chateau destroyed. There are now 1,135 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery and 21 from the Second World War (which all date from the Allied withdrawal ahead of the German advance of May 1940). The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
The register of soldiers effects show that his effects were advertised but no claimants came forward, however his medal rolls show illegitimate. If Herbert was illegitimate then there would be nobody entitled to receive his medals.
We currently have no further information on Herbert Fell, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
Killed On This Day.
(110 Years this day)Monday 1st May 1916.
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