Basic Details
Surname
Columbine
Forenames
Herbert
Gender
Male
Information stated on memorial
Alternative forename
Herbert George
Served or died
Died
Honours
Victoria Cross
Notes
Herbert won his VC for fighting a rear-guard action in Hervilly Woods, latterly on his own using a sole machine gun, against the German advance, a defence which lasted for four hours until he was killed by a bomb dropped by an aeroplane. 'Save yourselves, I'll carry on' were his last known words to 2 comrades. He is also commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial as he has no known grave. CWGC give his full name and age at death.
Primary Service
As stated on memorial
Service (Primary - Stated)
Army
Unit (Primary - Stated)
Machine Gun Corps
Rank / Title (Primary - Stated)
Private
Our References
Service (Primary - Our reference)
Unit (Primary - Our reference)
Rank / Title (Primary - Our reference)
Death and Burial details
Country of death
France
Year of death
1918
Month of death
March
Day of death
22
Age at death
24
Manner of death as stated
Killed in Action
Manner of death reference
Killed in Action