Lieutenant Herbert Douglas Vernon, Grenadier Guards, KIA 1916

[blackadder1917]

Hi all

 

Last weekend, I've bought two letters on a local flea market in Poperinge, written by Lieutenant Herbert Douglas Vernon of the Grenadier Guards. The letters are addressed to a Belgian woman (girl) from Poperinge. I suppose that he got to know her during his time off, behind the frontlines, as he is talking about a fast goodbye in one of the letters dated 30th august 1916. 

After some fast resarch I found out that Herbert Douglas Vernon was killed in action in France, two weeks later on 15th september 1916. These two letters must have been one of the last he ever wrote.

 

According to the Roll of Honour in The Birkenhead News, Herbert Douglas Vernon was active with the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards and was killed in action in the charge between Glincy and Les Bouefs. At the time of his death he was serving with the Machine Gun Coy 2nd Guards Brigade.  

 

I want to find out more about this man, but I'm not very familiar with the organisation of the British army during WW1. That is why I'm wondering how you can explain his service in the Machine Gun Coy 2nd Guards Brigade, while he was part of the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards?

 

Edited 1 September , 2019 by blackadder1917

[sadbrewer]

Can't help with the research....but what a great find!!

[Mark1959]

http://charterhousewarmemorial.org.uk/RollofHonour.aspx?RecID=656&TableName=ta_factfile

[Mark1959]

The 3rd Battalion became part of the 2nd Guards Brigade in August 1915 shortly after they arrived on the continent.

See http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/grenadier-guards/

The Medal records show he went overseas with the whole battalion - landing at Le Havre 27/7/15.

Edited 1 September , 2019 by Mark1959

[sadbrewer]

A memorial placed in the press. ( British Newspaper Archive) and an article from 1933.

Edited 2 September , 2019 by sadbrewer