Born: 1884
Died: 5 August 1915
Buried: Mesnil Ridge Cemetery
Address: 81 Falcoln Terrace, Institute Road, Eccleshill
Parents:
Spouse: A Brayshaw
Siblings:
Occupation: Woolcomber, Messrs Guard, Valley Road, Bradford
Organisations/clubs:
Military
Rank: Rifleman
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: Eccleshill
Children: 1 daughter
Regiment: Rifle Brigade
Herbert Brayshaw
Mrs Herbert Brayshaw of 81
Falcon Terrace, Institute Road,
Eccleshill has been informed by
the War Office that her husband
was killed on August 5th.
Pte Brayshaw enlisted in the 1st
Rifle Brigade on April 15th, 1915,
and received his military training
at Queensboro’ in Kent. He
quickly showed his aptitude for
handling the rifle for he once
wrote home saying: “I have scored
73 points out of a possible 80. My
officer says he is more than
pleased with me and thinks it is a
credit to do so well after only eight
weeks’ training. You see, I now
rank as a first class shot.”
He applied for a post of sniper and
sharp shooter and passed
all the tests. With less
than three months’
training he was selected
to take his place in the
firing line and landed in
France on July 7th. A
letter he sent about this
time reveals the true
spirit of the British
soldier.
He wrote: “If I get the chance I
shall do my bit and not half, either.
I shall not forget Scarborough and
when I come home again I shall be
able to look other fellows in the
face and say that I did my share.
I’d sooner die than be called a
coward.”
With a week he was
transferred to the
machine gun section
and writing later he
said: “I have not had
my clothes off since I
left England but I am
getting used to it.
There is one
consolation however
and that is we are
giving the Germans something to
go on with. The Germans are no
fools, I can tell you. They have
some fine guns but poor hearts
and when we get them on the run,
they do go. I can tell you.
The Belgian people are very kind
to us and no matter where you go
you see the crucifix.”
In his last letter home he said: “We
are about four miles from the
trenches but by the time you get
this letter I shall be having another
slap at the enemy. We have moved
about 30 miles since I wrote last. I
don’t know when I shall be able to
write you again but don’t be
down-hearted for no news is good
news.”
Previous to enlisting, Pte
Brayshaw had been employed in
the woolcomber department of
Messrs Guard, in Valley Road,
Bradford. He was 31 years of age
last April and leaves a widow and
baby daughter. His two brothers
are fighting at the front.
Shipley Times & Express
10 September 1915
