HERPS, Claude Herbert Somerville
| Service Number: | 1657 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 36th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Windsor, New South Wales, Australia, 1877 |
| Home Town: | Portland, Lithgow, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Lower Portland Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Company manager |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 17 September 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen Plot V, Row 3, Grave No. 24. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 6 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1657, 35th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 1657, 35th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 1 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 1657, 35th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Sydney | |
| 17 Sep 1917: | Involvement Lieutenant, 36th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 36th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1917-09-17 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Claude Herbert Somerville Herps was the son of Matthew Brown Herps and Caroline Herps, born in 1877, near Windsor, New South Wales. His parents had both passed away, his mother only a few months before he enlisted. He gave his next of kin as his sister, Elfreda Kathleen Herps, of Haberfield, New South Wales.
His much younger brother, 1561 Sergeant Rupert Havelock Herps 30th Battalion AIF, died of wounds in Belgium less than three weeks after the death of Claude, on 8 October 1917. Rupert was only 21 years age.
Claude joined the 35th Battalion in France on Christmas Day 1916 and was promoted to Second Lieutenant and transferred to the 36th Battalion during February 1917.
He was promoted to Lieutenant one before he was wounded in action on 21 July 1917. Although the wound was serious, a gunshot to the left foot, the general feeling was that he would recover. He was taken to the 8th General Hospital in Rouen, France, where apparently the wound was operated on because it was very septic. The wound seemed to be progressing well for the next five weeks although Herps was in considerable pain. He suddenly became worse and his foot was amputated on 16 September 1916. His condition deteriorated and he collapsed soon after and died the next day.
In his service file his sister, Elfreda Kathleen Herps was sent Claude’s personal effects.
Another sister Gladys Herps was also awarded a pension, 25 shillings per week for the loss of her brother Rupert, and 30 shillings per week for the loss of her brother Claude.
An older brother, the eldest, Raymond L. Herps was sent the medals and entitlements belonging to Claude Herbert Somerville Herps and Rupert Havelock Herps.