Gunner Herbert Flaherty.
L/8927 Royal Field Artillery 150th Bde County Palatine
Died 2nd November 1918, aged 23.
Herbert was born in the March quarter 1895, Burnley. The son of John Flaherty and Annie Burns.
In the 1991 census the family were residing at 7 Hughes St, Burnley. John 53 weaver born in Stalybridge Cheshire, Annie 50 born in Wolverhampton, Margaret 22 weaver, John 21 moulders labourer, Mary 17 weaver and Herbert 16 weaver, all born in Burnley. His parents had been married 25 years and had had 7 children 2 of whom had died.
From the Burnley Express dated 23rd Nov 1918: FAMILY'S SECOND LOSS. - BOYS BRIGADE MEMBER.
Mr and Mrs Flaherty 7 Hughes Street Burnley, have been informed of the death in action in France on November 2nd, of their son Gunner Herbert Flaherty 8927, County Palatine RFA cover at the age of 23. Joining up in March 1915 he was sent out in the November following. Formerly he was a weaver at Mr John Thornber's Healy Wood Mill, and was in the choir at St Mary's RC Church, and a member of the Boys Brigade. Private John Flaherty a brother of the deceased was killed in action on February 28th 1917, and another brother Andrew, has been wounded twice and is now in hospital.
Are Burnley young man, writing to his wife, relates in the following letter how private H Flaherty was killed: " it was yesterday morning, November 2nd, about 2 and pitch dark and raining, when our wagon line was heavily shelled. For about a quarter of an hour shells literally rained upon us. When it was all over I went round to see what damage was done, and found nearly all our horses killed or wounded. All the boys, I thought we're alright, until I came to a little bivouac in which a fellow called Matthews and Herbert Flaherty were sleeping and to my great grief,........
Herbert left his effects to his father.
Herbert was buried in Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau, France: Grave Ref; III.G.17. Son of John and Annie Flaherty, of 7, Hughes St., Burnley.