Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James William Aldwinckle, an agricultural labourer, born 1834 in Drayton, Leicestershire, who had been married to Lucy Aldwinckle (nee Driver, married in the 3rd quarter of 1852 in the Uppingham, Rutland district), born 1828 in Medbourne, Leicestershire, their children were, Jane, born 1853, John Henry, born 1855, George William, born 1856 and Rosalina, born 1859, all the children were born in Drayton, in April 1861 the family home was in Great Easton, Bringhurst, Leicestershire. In the 4th quarter of 1867 in the Uppingham, Rutland district, James’ wife died, aged 40. In April 1881, Herbert’s widowed father was working as an agricultural labourer and was residing in the family home in Main Street, Medbourne, together with his Granddaughter Mary Louisa Aldwinckle, a schoolgirl, born 1873 in Drayton. In April 1891 Herbert’s father was employed as an agricultural labourer and was residing in the family home at Old Road, Medbourne, together with his wife Harriet Ann Aldwinckle (nee Farmer, married in the 1st quarter of 1882 in the Uppingham, Rutland district ), born 1857 in Blaston, Leicestershire. Herbert was born in the 1st quarter of 1890 in Medbourne, his siblings were William James, a schoolboy, born in the 4th quarter of 1884, Harriet J., a schoolgirl, born 1887 and Louisa Mary, born 1888, all his siblings were born in Medbourne. In the 1st quarter of 1895, in the Uppingham, Rutland district, Herbert’s mother died, aged 38. In March 1901 Herbert was residing in the family home at Old Holt Yard, Medbourne, together with his widowed father, his brother William, a farm labourer and sister in law, Bertha E. Farmer, born 1882 in Medbourne and her son, Francis E. Farmer, born 1900 in Uppingham, Rutland. In April 1911 Herbert was serving as a Driver with the Army Service Corps and was stationed in Bulford, Wiltshire. Herbert married Jessie Seagrove on the 9th October1915 in the Registry Office, Woolwich, Kent, the officiant being C. H. Lee James and the witnesses were Kathleen Vincent and Leonard Ryder. His older brother William James fell in action in September 1916.
Herbert attested into the Army on a Short Service. Royal Engineers and Army Service Corps (Drivers) engagement of 2 years with the Colours and 10 years in the Reserve on the 7th December 1909 in Northampton. He gave his place of birth as Medbourne, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, his age as 18 years and 10 months and his trade or calling as farm labourer. He stated that he was residing with Mr. Banyard, Farmer of Rectory Farm, Tiffield. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his elder sister Jane Talbot of Twyford, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, as his next of kin, this was later changed to his wife Jessie of 49 Rectory Grove, Woolwich. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8 inches in height, weighed 119 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was light brown and he had hazel eyes. It was noted that he had a linear scar on the base and the inside of his left index finger. His physical development was described as good and his pulse rate was recorded as 70. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 7th December 1909 in Northampton. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Army Service Corps at Aldershot as a Driver, service number T/R/28401 on the 9/12/09. Extended service with the Colours on the 11/11/11. Posted to Woolwich as Private on the 14/11/11. Transferred on the 25/7/16 to the Balgowan V.A.D. Convalescent Hospital, Beckenham. Died from appendicitis and peritonitis on the 29/7/16. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 7/12/09 – 29/7/16, 6 years 236 days. Total service 6 years and 236 days.
His medical notes record that he was transferred to the Balgowan VAD Hospital in Beckenham, Kent convalescing from -?- appendicitis operation. Two days later. Septicemia and fecund peritonitis which was rapidly fatal and he died of appendicitis and peritonitis on the 29/7/16. A note with Herbert’s certificate of death states that his wife was present at the time he passed away.