Private Herbert Dunkerley.
307985 15th Battalion Tank Corps.
Formerly 10th Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).
Wounded in Action 25th September 1915.
Killed in Action 21st August 1918, aged 19.
Herbert was born in the March quarter 1898 in Prestwich, Manchester, the son of Thomas Dunkerley and Margaret Ann Bradburn. In the 1901 census the family were living at 21 Willow St., Manchester. Thomas 26 tailor, born in Manchester, Margaret 25 born in Salford, Elizabeth 5, Thomas 4, Herbert 3, all three born in Manchester, James 1 born Douglas, Isle of Man, and William 2 months born in Manchester.
In the 1911 census the family had moved into Burnley living at 24 Calder Vale Rd. Thomas 38, Margaret 36, Elizabeth 15, Thomas 14, Herbert 13, James 11 and John 8. His parents had been married 16 years and had had 6 children one of whom had died.
From the Burnley Express dated 20th October 1915: STRUCK IN THE NECK. BURNLEY “SCOTTIES'S" INJURIES.
One of the Burnley "Scotties's" to be injured in the recent advance was Private H Dunkerley, of the 10th Battalion Scottish Rifles son of Mr and Mrs Dunkerley, who is 17 years of age, worked as a weaver at Messrs Slater and Sons, Calder Vale Road, up to enlisting after the Outbreak of War. He went out to France in July, his brother is also in the army.
Writing from the Wharncliffe War Hospital Sheffield, he says: "no doubt you will have been feeling rather uneasy as regards my safety, for which I must thank Providence alone. Along with my gun team I had been in the trenches for a period of 8 days where to our surprise we received orders to pack up and go back to billets. Welcoming this, it was not long before we were ready arriving at our shelter shortly after midnight on the 24th inst, where we expected our digs for the time being to be. There was great excitement when our Sergeant presented himself a few hours later with the order, "full marching order at once everybody." as we must mount the parapet at dawn next morning. Every man was up to the Occasion, getting back into position about tea time, fixed bayonets, and ammunition in our magazine bomber preparing for the worst. Everything was quiet until about 8:30 when our artillery recommenced the bombardment. We were not able to hear our voices until 9 o'clock when our Major yelled out "up lads and at em." I will never forget the next hour as long as I live; it was worse than hell, with rifle firing, machine guns, high explosives, including Jack Johnson's, while the air was filled with poisonous gases, respirators having to be put on. We had got the first line of trenches, making for a place called Loos, on the La Bassee road when my head seem to drop off my shoulders, and I went down with a couple of bullets in my neck and left shoulder. When I came to it was when the stretcher bearers were bandaging up my wounds, after which I managed to get back to the Dressing Station, A distance of 4 miles where I was as comfortable as possible, being here anointed and receiving the last sacraments from a Catholic priest there. I am progressing nicely no, having been through an operation at a Canadian hospital down at the base."
In a later letter he said he was doing very nicely and wanted for nothing.
From the Burnley Express dated 28th Sept. 1918: THE FATAL FOURTH. - TANK SOLDIER WOUNDED THREE TIMES PREVIOUSLY.
The official news has been received at the home of his parents, 28 Rectory Road Burnley, concerning 309985 Private Herbert Dunker ley (20) Tank Corps, stating he was killed in action on August 21st. They also received a letter on September 4th from a friend of his saying he was very sorry to hear of the death in Action of Herbert. "I have had many an hour with him out here" he writes. " he was buried along with two more of the tank or. I will plant something on his grave in the course of a day or two, which I Might Say, is in a village about 4 miles from ---- . I know it must be a hard blow to you all at home. I cannot express my feelings towards you on paper. Your sincerely, E Beardsworth."
Private Dunkerley was a weaver at Slaters, Calder Vale Road at the Outbreak of the war. He joined the Scottish rifles on September 10th 1914 and served with them being wounded three times until January 1918, when he volunteered for the tank Corps going out to France for the fourth time in July 1918. He was connected with St Mary's RC Church. He has two brothers on Active Service Thomas Driver, in the RFA and Private James Dunkerley of the Duke of Wellington's WRR.
From the Burnley Express and advertiser dated 23rd August 1919: DUNKERLEY:
In loving memory of Private H Dunkerley 307985 Tank Corps, of 28 Rectory Road, who was killed in action August 21st 1918, aged 20.
Now this sad war is over.
And the others are marching home.
We think of our dear son.
Who will nevermore return.
We often look at his photo.
Thou the tears may in our eyes.
We shall remember he was a hero.
And not afraid to die.
Thus Hearts that have loved will never be forgotten. From his father and mother, also sister, brothers and grandfather.
Thomas left his effects to his father Thomas.
Thomas was buried at Bucquoy Rd Cemetery, Ficheux, France: Grave Ref; VI.L.22. Son of Thomas and Margaret Ann Dunkerley, of 28, Rectory Rd., Burnley.