Pte 27569 Herbert Samuel Bray

• Age: 32
• From: Walton, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Pte Herbert Samuel Bray, 17^th Battn KLR.

Herbert Samuel Bray was born in Walton, Liverpool on the 31st July 1883, he was the second son of James Bray and his wife Mary Olive (nee Bryant) who both originated in Bath, Somerset, and were married there in 1873.  He was baptised on 30th Sept 1883 at St Silas, Pembroke Place, his father was a baker of 32 Baker St. 

The 1891 Census shows the family are living at Hodder Street, Everton.

Herbert is shown as a seven year old living with his parents and five siblings. His father is 41 years of age, a Baker born in Bath in 1850, whilst his mother was also born in Bath in 1852. His siblings were all born in Liverpool with the exception of Mabel O. who was born in Warrington in 1882. The remaining siblings are Amy born 1876, Francis J. born 1878, Edith M. born 1887 and Minnie Victoria, born 1890.  

By the time of the 1901 Census the family are living at 2a Walton Lane.

Herbert is now 17 years of age, he is an apprentice baker and living with his parents and five siblings. His siblings still living at home are Francis J now 23 and a bread maker, Mabel O now 19 and a shop assistant, Edith 14, Minnie Victoria is aged 11 and a new addition born post 1891 is Alice G. aged 8. 

The 1911 Census shows the family are living at 56 Spellow Lane, Walton.

Herbert is now 27 years of age and is employed as a Master Baker. Father James is aged 60, a master baker, mother Mary Olive is aged 59 and they have been married for 38 years, and have 7 children, children Minnie Victoria 21 a bakery shop assistant and Alice Gertrude 15.  

Herbert enlisted in his home city on 19th May 1915 joining the 17^th Battalion as Private 27569. He trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.  On 24th April 1916 he was admitted to 55 Field Ambulance suffering from fever, rejoining his Battalion on the 09/05/1916.

Herbert was killed in action during the attack at Montauban. The 17th Battalion listed their casualties as killed between the 1^st/2^nd July 1916.

17^th Battalion Diary

3.30 am the Battalion in position in assembly trenches -Battalion frontage from Maricourt – Briqueterie Rd to 100 yards west of Maricourt – Montauban Rd – 1^st wave, 2 platoons of A Company on the right and 2 platoons of B company on the left. 2^nd wave remaining platoons of these companies. 3^rd wave C Company and 4^th wave D Company in parallel trenches at about 100 yards distance. 3^rd Battalion 153^rd French Infantry on our right and 20 KLR on our left. The Battalion’s objective was Dublin Trench from Dublin Redoubt exclusive to a point 400 yards west.

7.30 am – “Zero Hour”. The assault commenced, some shelling but very slight infantry resistance and little machine gun fire encountered, the work of our artillery having been very effective on the German trenches.

8.30 am – the objective was taken at 08.30 am the French on our right gaining their’s at the same hour. Lieutenant-Colonel B C Fairfax and Commandant Le Petit commanding 3^rd Battalion 153^rd Regiment arrived together in Dublin Trench. A and B Companies dug in almost 100 yards south of Dublin Trench which the Germans shelled intermittently all day hardly touching the new trench. Casualties up to 12 noon, Captain E C Torrey commanding C Company, Lt D H Scott commanding A Company and 2^nd Lieutenant P L Wright wounded 100 other ranks. Later in the day the 90^th Brigade took Montauban and the 20^th KLR captured the Briqueterie. Lt Scott died of wounds in a French hospital at Cerisy where Captain Mirascou commanding the left Company of the French also lay wounded. Perfect liaison existed between the French and ourselves the above two officers commanding respectively our right Company and the French left Company being in constant touch. Shortly after the attack commenced the Battalion Headquarters moved to a German dugout in Favieres Support under Briqueterie Road where Commandant Le Petit also established his H.Q. During the remainder of the day there was intermittent bombardment of Dublin and Casement and  Favieres Support trenches. Rations were brought up safely at night. Disposition of the Battalion – 2 Companies in Dublin and 2 in Casement.

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave, his name being commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01^st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

His death was reported in the Liverpool Evening Express on 01st September 1916:

Private H.S.Bray,K.L.R., of 23,Carisbrooke-road,Walton,late of Maghull,killed in action. 

FORMER MAGHULL MAN FALLS

Amongst the victims of the recent fighting in the Liverpool "Pals" is Private Herbert Samuel Bray, youngest son of Mr James Bray of Carisbrooke Road, Walton, and formerly of Yew Tree, Maghull. He gave up business as a master Baker to join the "Pals."

Liverpool Echo 2nd July 1917  

BRAY - In ever loving memory of our dear brother Bert, K.L.R. (Pals), killed in action July 1, 1916. 

Safe with the angels, whiter than snow,  

Watching for loved ones waiting below.  

From his sorrowing Sisters May and Edie. 

BRAY - In loving memory of our dear brother Bert, K.L.R. (Pals), killed in action, July 1, 1916.  

Days of sadness still come o’er us,  

Hidden tears do often flow;  

For memory keeps our dear one near us  

Although he died twelve months ago.  

From his Sisters, Amy Minnie and Alice.  

BRAY - In affectionate remembrance of our dear son Bert, K.L.R., killed in action, July 1, 1916.  

In the prime of life death claimed him, 

In the pride of his manhood days;  

None knew him but to love him, 

None mentioned his name but with praise.  

His loving Father and Mother.  

Soldiers Effects to father James, death recorded 1st or 2nd July 1916 and pension to mother Mary Olive.

Herbert is also commemorated on the following war memorials:

St Andrew’s Church, Damfield Lane, Maghull

St Andrew Primary School, Deyes Lane, Maghull.

St Luke's Church, Walton.

He was also commemorated on the war memorial at St Athanasius Church, Kirkdale until it was destroyed during the Blitz in the Second World War. 

Mother died aged on the 31st March 1923(pension card) and the Father died aged 85 in 1935. 

We currently have no further information on Herbert Samuel Bray, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.