Soldier Record
Herbin Seward
Contributed by: Peter Seward, on 2008-11-09
| Rank | |
|---|---|
| First Name | Herbin |
| Surname | Seward |
| Year of Birth | 1898 |
| Year of Death | 1970 |
| Regiment | Royal Field Artillery |
| Place of Wartime Residence | South London, Greater London |
Herbin's Story
"I was not a hero son I was just lucky." This is what my dad always said to me. Horses came first and men second. My Dad told me that it was so cold in France that they slept inside dead horses to keep warm. They'd cut the belly out and climb in together.
I was not a hero son I was just lucky
He also talked about the times that he witnessed officers shooting a man refusing to go over the top. The man was shellshocked but they still classed him as a coward.
He had all three medals of the First World War, which are called Pip Squeak and Wilfred after the cartoon characters.
I have still got the cigarette box that was sent by Queen Victoria to all the troops, plus some original live 303 bullets.
My dad was the lead horseman, taking the gun carriages up to the front. Usually under heavy fire. Once he'd delivered the gun, getting the horses back behind the lines, ready to take up ammunition. This is why the horses came first, they were the only reliable means of getting the guns and ammunition to the front.
No additional memories have been submitted