Rifleman 3964 (later 551340) Herbert Bounds 16th Battalion, London Regiment (Westminster Rifles), was born the first quarter of 1889 at St Leonards, the son of George Bounds and Louisa Nightingale.

The 1891 Census finds him with his family at 17 Vale Road, Hastings. George aged 45 is a carpenter and joiner born at Canterbury, as was Louisa aged 42. Children recorded are Alfred aged 18 a carpenter and joiner born Ashford, and Frederick aged 14 a labourers shop boy and Gilbert aged 12, Henry aged 10, Harold aged 8, Leonard aged 6, Herbert aged 4 and Elise aged”0” all born St Leonards.

Still at the Vale Road address for the 1901 Census, George is still a carpenter and joiner married to Louisa. Children recorded are Henry a railway engine cleaner, Leonard a corn merchants porter, Herbert and Elsie.

By 1911 Herbert had left home and was residing at 62 Meath Road, Stratford, London a “footman domestic servant” to his brother in law and his sister - John Catt, a scale maker born Hastings and Louisa. The couple have five children.

Herbert enlisted at Westminster, his address being Westbourne Grove, Hastings. His Medal Index Card records that he disembarked in France on the 4th of December 1915 and that he was entitled to all three war medals.

On the 1st of July 1916 at 07.30, the Westminster Rifles went over the top at Gommecourt being tasked with taking one of the most heavily defended points on the front. The advance was met with heavy machine gun and artillery fire with no artillery support of their own. However, they did succeed in taking some of the enemy trenches and then held them for twelve hours under the heaviest of bombardments. Casualties were heavy. Of the 750 officers and men of the battalion who went over the top in the morning, some 600 were killed, wounded or missing.

Herbert was killed in the attack and subsequently buried at Gommecourt British Cemetery No.2 Hebuterne.

The Hastings and St Leonard's Observer for the 5th of August published the photographs of eight men, including Herbert (see above) who had died in service under the heading:

 “OUR ROLL OF HONOUR.”

Herbert is remembered in Hollington Churchyard, St Leonards, Sussex, on the grave of his sister Elsie who died on the 29th of July 1915 aged 24 and his mother Louisa who died on the 16th of December 1918. (*) George died in 1935 and is buried elsewhere.

The CWGC notes him as the son of George and Louisa Bounds of 98 Alexandra Road, St Leonards.