Family
Herbert Golding was born on 3 December 1883 at 5 Prospect Place, Twyford, Berkshire.
His parents were William and Lydia Golding (née Tull). William was a ‘Fishmonger’.
Herbert was the youngest of seven children: Elizabeth, James, Mary, Annie, William, Emily and Herbert.
Herbert’s mother was born in Pamber about 1842. At some point, probably following the death of her husband, William, Lydia returned to Pamber as at the time of the 1901 Pamber Census she was residing with her brother Philip in Pamber Heath. In September 1903, at the age of 61, she married John Anglis Cripps (also known as John Cripps Anglis).
In the 1901 Reading Census Herbert was aged 17 years and living at 22 Liverpool Road, Earley, Reading, with his sister, Mary Whitworth (née Golding), her husband and family. His occupation was listed as ‘Plasterer’.
In the 1911 Tadley Census Herbert, aged 27 years, is recorded as living with his mother and stepfather in Broadhalfpenny Lane, Tadley. His occupation was listed as ‘Plasterer’.
Herbert was unmarried.
Service record
Herbert enlisted in Winchester. At the time of his enlistment he was recorded as living in Fleet. He served as a private in the 10th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (service number 9829). Based on his service number, he was amongst the first wave of men to volunteer, probably enlisting in August 1914. He only served with the 10th Battalion.
The battalion was raised at Winchester in August 1914 as part of Kitchener’s First New Army (K1). After it was raised it moved to Dublin, returning to England in May 1915 where it underwent final training at Basingstoke before sailing to Gallipoli from Liverpool on 7 July.
The eight-month campaign in Gallipoli was fought by Dominion and French forces in an attempt to force Turkey out of the war, to relieve the deadlock on the Western Front in France and Belgium, and to open a supply route to Russia through the Dardanelles and the Black Sea.
Herbert landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on 5 August 1915 and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6-10 August then went on to attack Hill 60 later that month. Herbert is recorded as dying on 23 August 1915, which would suggest he died during or after the assault on Hill 60, where the 10th Battalion was supporting the 5th Connaught Rangers, and Australian and New Zealand troops.
Soldiers Died in the Great War states that he was ‘Killed in Action’ on 23 August and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has the same date for his death. The Soldier’s Effect Register notes that he is ‘presumed dead’ on the 23 August. In the war diary, it states that the 10th Battalion was in support from the 22-31 August and there is no mention of any casualties. However, the battalion lost 476 men (killed, wounded and missing) on 21 August. The situation would have been confused and the above evidence would suggest Herbert was probably killed on the 21 August but that his death was not officially recorded until two days later.
Died
Herbert was officially recorded as being killed in action on Monday 23 August 1915, aged 31.
Commemorated
He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial [Panel reference
126-135 or 223-226, 228-229 & 328], Gallipoli, Canakkale, Turkey.
He is also remembered on Tadley War Memorial.
Of the men remembered on Tadley War Memorial, George Garrett, Herbert Golding, William Monger, Alfred Rampton, Leonard Rampton, Ernest Sandford, Louis Stacey, Tom Taylor and George Warren all served with the Hampshire Regiment.
Decorations
Herbert was awarded the Victory medal, the British War medal and 1914-15 Star. These would have been sent to his family.