FIGGURES Herbert Edward

Herbert was born in Blockley in 1898, one of seven children, his father was a house painter.  He was at home until at least 1911, when he was recorded as a schoolboy on the 1911 census.  Herbert served as a Private in the Worcestershire Regiment in WW1, enlisting at an unknown date at Birmingham.  He was first in the 10th Battalion and later in the 3rd, when he lost his life in action in France.

The 10th Battalion was formed in September 1914 as part of the new armies.  It transferred to France in July 1915 but Herbert will not have been with them at that stage – the lack of a 1915 Star shows that he was sent to a theatre of war not earlier than 1916, which is compatible with his age.  His transfer to the 3rd Battalion, also in France, is likely to be connected with the reduction of the 10th Battalion to cadre status in 1918, most of the personnel going to the 3rd Battalion.

Medal Roll Index Card:
Herbert E. Figgures, Worcestershire Regiment, Private, 42842, awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

From Worcestershire Regiment Medal Roll:
Herbert E Figgures, 10/Worcs Regt, Private, 42842, 3/Worcs Regt, Private, 42842

From Soldiers’ Effects:
Herbert Edward Figgures, 3/Worcs Regt, Private, 42842
died 23/3/18, France, 12 pounds 2s 3d including War Gratuity, 5 pounds 10s 0d to father Charles H.

Herbert had an older brother, Charles Elisha, born in 1895, of an age for service in World War 1.  He may be the Charles E. Figgures for whom there is a medal index card showing service in the Dorset Regiment, Royal Engineers and Royal Garrison Artillery.  In addition to the two standard medals he received the 1915 Star for service abroad from September 1915, well before conscription was introduced.  He must thus have been a volunteer (or perhaps less likely, Territorial or Regular Soldier).  He survived the war.  The medal roll index card for Charles shows: Private, 13331, Dorset Regiment, 2/Corporal W/P28(7)327, Royal Engineers, 48552 Royal Garrison Artillery, 173264 Royal Engineers.  Awarded the 1915 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

A photograph of Private H. Figgures of Blockley can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 27th April 1918, available at Worcestershire Archives.

Herbert Figgures has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Arras Memorial.