Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of the late William Cornelius Herbert, a castrator, born 1848 in Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire and his wife Elizabeth Annie Herbert (nee Townsend, married in the 1st quarter of 1870 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), born 1844 in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire. Rowland Reginald, a schoolboy, was born in the 2nd quarter of 1884 in Wigston, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Marian Ethel, a hosiery trade worker, born 1873, William Frederick T., a schoolboy, born 1877 and Gertrude Lizzie, a schoolgirl, born 1879, the latter three siblings were all born in Bruntingthorpe, Cornelia Mabel, a schoolgirl, born 1882 and Cornelius Cecil, a schoolboy, born 1887, the latter two siblings were both born in Wigston, in April 1891 the family home was at Leicester Road, Wigston Magna, Leicestershire. In the 2nd quarter of 1895, in the Blaby, Leicestershire district, Rowland’s mother died age 51. In March 1901 Rowland was absent from the family home at 2, Filbert Street, Leicester, residing there was his father, a horse and cattle specialist and his step mother, Jane Herbert (nee Barnes, married on the 16th January 1896 in Alford, Lincolnshire), born 1852 in Alford, Lincolnshire and who was the daughter of Martin Barnes, of Alford, and his brother Cornelius, a schoolboy. In April 1911 Rowland’s father, an animal surgeon, was now residing at 75, Aylestone Road, Leicester, with his wife, Rowland was employed as a postman and was residing in the family home at 13, Cross Street Tamworth, Staffordshire, together with his wife Daisy Elizabeth Herbert (nee Fuller, married in the 1st quarter of 1907 in the Swaffham, Norfolk district), born 1884 in Swaffam, and their children, Ruby Valeria, born 1907 in Swaffham, Rowland John, born 1909 in Wigston and Ethel Edna, born 1911 in Leicester. In the 2nd quarter of 1913 another daughter, Enid E. Herbert was born in the Tamworth, Staffordshire district.
The War Diary records: 13 Feb-15 – Casualties Killed or died of wounds, other ranks 5. Wounded, other ranks 4. Relieved by 3rd Battalion and marched to billets in Bethune.
On Saturday March 6th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LETTERS FROM THE FRONT. A GALLANT CHARGE. An official notification has been received by his relatives in Leicester of the death of Sergeant R. R. Herbert, 4th Company 2nd Coldstream Guards, who, it is reported, was killed at Cuinchy on February 13th, in a letter to Mrs. Herbert informing her of her husband’s death and expressing the deepest sympathy, Sergeant Langtry, of the same Company, assures her that Sergeant Herbert died doing his duty to his country. He was respected and beloved by officers, N.C.O.’s and men, and all were sorry to know of his death. It appears from further news received from the front, that Sergeant Herbert was killed by the bursting of a shell in a dug-out. He and three others were sitting in the dug-out, and while three of them were killed, the fourth had what is described as a miraculous escape. Sergeant Herbert it should be added, had completed 12 years on the reserve, and actually received his discharge papers the day he was called to rejoin his regiment. The son of Mr. C. W. Herbert, 17, Regent Road, Leicester, he was a native of the town, and was formerly a postman attached to the General Post Office at Leicester. He was afterwards transferred to the postal service at Tamworth, where his wife and four young children reside. His sister, Mrs. Hill of 1, Minehead Street, Leicester, has her husband, another brother, and four nephews on active service. A pathetic interest attaches to one of Sergeant Herbert’s last letters home, in which he says he was extremely lucky to receive some presents sent out to him, because of what happened to his company on the day the parcel arrived. “Then,” he says, “you will understand how thankful I am to be alive.” The letter is dated February 7th, and contains the following passages. “Our regiment had relieved the Sussex out of the trenches in a very hot shop, which for obvious reasons I am not allowed to mention except that our position was near a railway and a river which run parallel. We put one platoon on a kind of advance post. The Germans were only 15 yards away, so you may imagine our men had to keep a good look-out. Anyhow, we were not cute enough for them. The bounders crept up to our trenches and pushed sand bags on top of us. At the same time they did not forget to send us a few bombs to add to our discomfort. Perhaps we may be pardoned for retiring for the time being to collect our scattered thoughts. “Well, after we had sorted ourselves out a bit and got into a bit of order it was our immediate duty to get back these trenches. You see or rations were there, and we wanted them. Just imagine if you can your brother in for a charge...... My thoughts flew back to my dear wife and children. (I think that is what makes our men go mad when charging). Well, the race for life and death had actually started. So had the bullets, bomb shells, etc. As we were charging up a valley about 16 yards wide it was very difficult to get in line, particularly as it was dark. We got within five yards of the trenches, and had to retire again. “About seven hours later, when it was day-time, we received orders to again charge. This time we made no mistake about it. Our artillery gave them ten minutes shelling before we started. As I am a bit sensitive I do not wish to witness another spectacle like it. The poor devils were blown clean out of their trenches. What was left of them – almost 40 – were killed or captured. My orders were. ‘Sergt. Herbert, take your men up and get the right of the trench.’ Thank God we did it. But the victory cost us 47 killed and wounded. They had a machine gun. We captured this. One of our officers was shot by my side. He and myself, with two more men, got there first. He told me to hang on till more men came up, at the same time remarking he was sorry he could not help me further. Presently our men came up and we were safe, and I thanked God......... People at home do not realise the cost. Every man proved himself a hero, not only our men, but the Germans. They are not cowards, and the men who say so have not been through what I have...