Herbert was born in Saxlingham Nethergate on 8 February 1900. His parents were Alice and William Youngman. His father was a rough carpenter.
Herbert was baptised in St. Mary’s Church, Saxlingham Nethergate on 6 May 1900. He had a brother William James born 26 November 1893and another sibling who died before 1911.
The family lived on the Norwich Road in Saxlingham.
Herbert enlisted on 8 March 1918. He was a gardener working for Mr. Campbell Steward, The Hall, Saxlingham. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a 33 inch chest and he weighed 124lbs. It was recorded that his physical development was poor.
He was initially in 53rd Battalion Rifle Brigade but was transferred to 52nd Battalion. His service number was 49439. After only a short time training he was posted to France and arrived there on 29 August 1918. He moved from the base camp on 3 September 1918
On 2 November 1918 he received a gunshot wound which fractured the elbow of his right arm. His humerus was also broken. He was initially admitted to 2nd Canadian hospital at Le Treport.
He was transferred to N0. 1 War Hospital ,Reading. He was admitted on 12 November 1918 and stayed there for 286 days. He was discharged on 25 August 1919 on a sick furlough.
He applied for a pension because of his disability. He stated that the injury had caused him to have weakness in his right arm and stiffness. He had restricted movement in the joint which prevented him resuming his former occupation. He was examined in Winchester on 29 October 1919.
When the doctor examined him he found that’ he had a linear healed scar on the posterior aspect of the right elbow joint. There is ????bony tissue on the olecranon (elbow) and the humerus has been fractured. He has lost a fair extent of flexion and extension. Flexion on 80 degree and 40% disablement’
The bony tissue could have been caused by an infection of the wound.
In another report ‘He had a 5 inch scar over the post aspect of the elbow joint and upper end of the ulna. General adherent and tender. He has maximum flexion to 80 degrees, extension to 180 degrees and the grip is good.’
It was not expected to improve any more. He obtained a pension for 12 months.
He returned to live with his parents in Norwich Road, Saxlingham
In the spring of 1923 he married Violet Annie Deacon, born July 1898. She came from Pangbourne in Berkshire and had worked as a servant.
In April 1924 their daughter Iris W. J. Youngman was born in Bradfield, Berkshire.
During the following years they lived in Sprowston and Catton near Norwich, Norfolk.
In 1939 the family were living at 97 Spixworth Road , Catton. Herbert was working as a French polisher.
His daughter Iris married in 1949 and lived in Norwich.
Violet died in the summer of 1964.
In 1965 he married Lilian Cobbett (nee Noble), a widow. Her father had been a police officer and she had worked as a copy typist before she married Edward Cobbett. Edward died in 1957. She lived in Catton like Herbert.
Lilian died in 1972 and is buried in Catton cemetery.
Herbert died in December 1987 but it is not known where he is buried.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
1939 Register- www.findmypast.co.uk
Norfolk Electoral Rolls-Southern Division Saxlingham Nethergate and Thorpe, 1908 -1921 and Sprowston and Catton Electoral Rolls 1924- 1931
Norfolk, Church of England Diocesan Baptismal Records, Saxlingham Nethergate.
Norfolk, Church of England Burial Records, Catton.
British Army World War 1 Pension Records 1914- 1920
UK World War 1 Medal and Award Rolls
Photograph of Reading hospital- www.getreading.co.uk
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person, please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk