681606 A/BDR. H. V. SHERIFF.  R.F.A.

 

Horace Victor Sheriff was born in the 3rd quarter of 1887 in Brierley Hill, Staffordshire.  His father was Samuel Sheriff (b. 1860 in Great Whitley, Worcestershire), a stationary engine driver in a leather factory.  His mother was Caroline Poulton (b. 1861 in Wordsley, Staffs).  Sam and Caroline were married in 1884 and they had 4 children: Lillie (b. 1887), then Horace, then George (b. 1893) and Minnie (b. 1903).  Caroline died in 1908.  So in 1911, Sam and his four children were living 47 High Street, Amblecote, Staffs., and Horace was working as a glass engraver.  Two years later, Horace married Mary Maria Meredith (b. 1889 in Brierley Hill), and the couple moved to 2 Victoria Street, Brierley Hill.

 

Joe was 27 when War broke out and he enlisted the following year, 1915.  He was assigned service number 681606 and posted to “B” Battery of 286 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.  This was part of the divisional artillery for 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division.  57th Division landed in France in February 1917 and they were deployed in the first half of 1917 in the defence of Armentières.  At some point, Horace was promoted to Acting Bombardier.  On 2 May 1917 the War Diary reports that “a raiding party of the enemy, strength unknown, attempted to enter our trenches… but were at once caught in our barrage fire and withdrew”.  Four men from “B” Bty were killed that day, among them was Horace Sheriff.  He was 27 years old.

 

Rank:  Acting Bombardier

Service No:  681606

Date of Death:  02/05/1917

Age:  27

Regiment/Service:  Royal Field Artillery, “B” Bty, 286 Bde.

Cemetery/memorial reference: VIII. B. 2.

Cemetery/Memorial:  CITE BONJEAN MILITARY CEMETERY, ARMENTIERES

Additional Information:  Son of Samuel Sheriff; husband of Mary Maria Sheriff, of 2 Victoria Street, Brierley Hill, Staffs. Born at Brierley Hill.

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