Private Herbert Ruth. 

6235 12th Lancashire Fusiliers.

Missing in Action 14th September 1916, aged 36.

Herbert was born in the Dec quarter of 1881 in Burnley. The son of Henry Ruth and Mary Mitchell. In the 1891 census the family lived at 40 Blannell St, Burnley. Henry 42 ice cream merchant, born in Liverpool, Mary 39 born in Halifax, Yorkshire, John Henry 16, Joseph 16 both worked for the father, Mary 12, Herbert 10, William 8, Charles 6, And Walter 1. All the children were born in Burnley.

By the time of the 1901 census the family had moved to 162 Sandygate, Burnley. Henry 52 now a grocer, Mary 49, John Henry 25, Herbert 19 and Willie 16 both ice cream hawkers, Charles 14 warehouseman, Walter 11, Theodore 9, and a servant Elizabeth Mitchell. (possibly a relation).

Herbert married Margaret Clarke in the June quarter of 1906 in Burnley.

In the 1911 census his family were living at 49 Bridge St, Burnley. Herbert 28 a miner, Margaret 23, Anthony 3 and Mary aged 1.

The funeral of his father HENRY RUTH

From The Express and advertiser dated 27th November1915: FUNERAL

The funeral took place at the Burnley Cemetery on Monday of Mr Henry Ruth of 1 Starkie Street. Mr Ruth who was 64 years of age died on Thursday the 18th after an illness of about a week's duration. He had been in the town a great number of years, and was about the first licensed ice cream hawker in the town, his round chiefly being in the Burnley Wood District, and his shop in Sandygate. He leaves a widow, 7 sons, and 1 daughter. Four of his son's are in the army-Private Joseph who is with the South Wales Borderers in France, Private Herbert in the 13th Lancashire Fusiliers, - "somewhere abroad", Sergeant Major Charles, in the 3/5th East Lancs, and Driver Theodore in the A.S.C. The funeral ceremony was conducted by Father Hennessey of St Mary Magdalene, with which deceased was connected.

 From The Express and Advertiser dated 23 Jun 1917: OUR FALLEN HEROES. WIFE'S DOUBLE LOSS.

after 9 months, official notification has been received that private Herbert Ruth, 6235, of the 12th Lancashire Fusiliers, was killed in action on September 14th 1916,  with the Salonika forces. The home of his wife and four children the eldest of which is 9 years of age, is for Roper Street Burnley. Private Ruth who was 34 years of age enlisted on September 8th 1914, and first went to France and was afterwards transferred. Previously he was a Jinney-tenter at Sandholme Pit, and connected with St. Mary Magdalene Church. 

 A brother of Private Ruth, Theodore Ruth, ASC, is in Salonika, and another Charles Ruth, East Lancs, is in France, whilst a third Joseph Ruth, South Wales Borderers, has been discharged from the army. Mrs Ruth has suffered a second bereavement by the death of her husband as her brother, Private James Clarke, was killed in action on July 1st last year. Her sister's husband, Corporal James Ferguson, has been missing for a year and 9 months, and is presumed dead, whilst other brother, Private Patsy Clarke a reservist has been on Active Service since the very beginning of the war.

 From the Burnley News dated 23 June 1917: KILLED IN THE BALKANS. BURNLEY SOLDIER WHO HAD BEEN MISSING SINCE LAST SEPTEMBER .

After being missing since September 14th last, 6235 Private Herbert Ruth, Lancashire Fusiliers who lived at 4 Roper Street Burnley is now officially reported to have been killed in action in the Balkans on that date. He joined the army on September 8th 1914, being at that time and Jinney-tenter at Sandholme Pit. He was a Roman Catholic and attended the church and school of St Mary Magdalene. He leaves a wife and four children.

Private Ruth belongs to a soldierly family. His brothers, Theodore and Charles are respectively with the ASC at Salonika and the East Lancs in France. Another brother, Joseph, who was in the South Wales Borderers, finished his time and was discharged 12 months ago. Mrs Ruth's brother, Private James Clarke of the East Lancs, was killed on July 1st of last year. She has another brother, Private Patsy Clarke, also of the East Lancs, who as a reservist, has been serving since the beginning of the war. Mrs Ruth has a sister whose husband Corporal James Ferguson, East Lancs, was killed at the Dardanelles.

Lived at 4 Roper Street.

Herbert left his effects to his widow Margaret.

Herbert is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Greece:  Son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ruth, of Burnley, Lancs; husband of Margaret Walsh (formerly Ruth, nee Clarke), of 4, Roper St., Burnley, Lancs.