Herbert Wallace Greengrass

A Private with 30th Division Mechanical Transport Company, Herbert died on 21st of March 1918 at the age of 38. 

Herbert was born at Oulton Broad in 1880, a son of Lorina Laura Greengrass. He was baptised at Saint Peter’s Church, Carlton Colville, on 29 February 1880. In 1881 Herbert, and his mother, lived with his maternal grandmother, Ann Miller, formerly Greengrass, at Beccles Road, Carlton Colville. By 1891 Hebert’s mother had married George Read, and the family lived at Beccles Road, Carlton Colville. Note in the 1891 Census Herbert’s surname is given as Read. 

On 18 September 1900 Herbert married Eliza Chapman at Saint Peter’s Church, Carlton Colville. Herbert was a fisherman and they both lived at Carlton Colville. In 1901 they lived at 65 Arnold Street, and Hebert was a mariner. In 1902-3 they lived at Oulton Broad and by 1907 at Barningham Winter, Norfolk. In 1911 they lived at Hall Cottages, Cley Road, Holt, Norfolk, and Herbert was a domestic chauffeur. By 1918 Eliza was living at 36 Kimberley Road, Lowestoft.

Herbert volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Norwich in 1915. He joined the Army Service Corps, service number M2-119855. Herbert was posted to France on 8 September 1915. By late 1917 he was serving with 30th Divisional Mechanical Transport Company. Hebert was admitted to 96 Field Ambulance on 29 December 1917 with contusions to his right foot. He was discharged to duty on 3 January 1918. 

On 19 March 1918 the 30th Divisional Mechanical Transport Company was based at Golancourt. At 5.30 a.m. on 21 March a strong enemy attack on the 30th Divisional front line began. A heavy bombardment fell on the Divisional Headquarters and the Transport Lines. Several first line vehicles were destroyed before the transport was ordered to Villers St. Christophe, later all of the transport moved west of Ham, near Esmery Hallon. 

There is no record of when, where, or how, Herbert was wounded, but it is highly likely that this was during the early stages of the German offensive. Herbert was evacuated to 97th Field Ambulance where he died form his wounds. 

There are no detailed casualty records for the 30th Divisional Motor Transport Company, but 30th Division’s casualties for 21 to 31 March 1918 were 218 officers and 5245 men.  

Herbert's son, Herbert Henry Greengrass, served in the Merchant Navy and died in 1942.