Herbert Harry Rogers

A Lance Corporal with the 9th Battalion, Herbert died on 15th of January 1916 at the age of 36. 

Herbert was born at Lowestoft in 1879, a son of John and Matilda Rogers. In 1881 his family lived at 14 Albert Street, and in 1891 at 30 Edinburgh Road. In 1901 his parents lived at 6 Duke’s Head Street, and later his father lived at 10 Duke's Head Street. 

Herbert served with the 2nd Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment.

Herbert was working as a carpenter when he enlisted in the regular battalions of the Norfolk Regiment, at Norwich, on 21 January 1902, service number 6869. He was immediately posted to the 3rd Volunteer Company, with the rank of Corporal. He departed for South Africa on 3 March 1902, and returned on 30 July 1902. Herbert was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal for his service in the Boer War. He was discharged on 1 August 1902. 

On 25 May 1905 Herbert married Eliza Durrant at Saint Margaret’s Church. Herbert was a carpenter living at 6 Duke’s Head Street, and Eliza lived at 161 London Road North. In 1911 they lived at 8 Crown Street, Lowestoft, and Herbert was a brewer’s labourer. 

Herbert volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft in 1914. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 13034. Herbert was posted to the 9th Battalion and arrived in France on 23 September 1915.

In mid-January 1916 the 9th Battalion were in trenches near Ypres, including the Canal Bank. The Battalion War Diary records that on 15 January two men were killed, including Herbert, and eight men wounded. The other man that died, Private Goodwin, is buried in the grave next to Herbert’s. 

Herbert's brother-in-law, Leonard Day, served in the Suffolk Regiment and died in 1917.