In Memory of Colonel HERBERT CLIFFORD BERNARD Commanding 10th Bn., Royal Irish Rifles who died age 50 on 01 July 1916 Born at Cheltenham. Son of Robert Bernard, M.D., R.N., Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals and Fleets, and Sarah Augusta Clifford. Served in the Burmese War (1885-1891). Commanded the 45th (Rattray's) Sikhs from 1909 to 1914, after which he retired from the Indian Army. Remembered with honour MARTINSART BRITISH CEMETERY Herbert was the Son of Robert Bernard, M.D., R.N., Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals and Fleets, and Sarah Augusta Clifford. He was Educated at Llandovery College and then passed through Sandhurst as Queen's Cadet. Herbert was gazetted to the 67th (Hampshire) Regiment in 1884, and in 1885 joined the Indian Army, with whom he served in the Burmese War (1885-1891). He Commanded the 45th (Rattray's) Sikhs from 1909 to 1914, after which he retired from the Indian Army. In 1898 Herbert married Miss Ina Hogg of Melbourne, who died in 1908. At the outbreak of war, Herbert was given Command of the 10th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, 107th Brigade, 4th Division, and he was with them at the opening of the Battle of the Somme, when he was Killed in Action, aged 50, on the 1st July, 1916. He is buried at Martinsart British Cemetery. Llandovery College - The Great War 1914-1918
Bridstow and Peterstow - Herefordshire - St. Bridget's Still on the south side of the church we find another plaque connected with the Great War. Brass this time and bearing the regimental badge and motto Quis Separabit (Who shall separate us) of the Royal Irish Rifles. Below the badge an inscription that tells much about an old and gallant soldier - In Loving Memory Of Herbert Clifford Bernard, Colonel Indian Army, Sometime In Command Of Rattray's Sikhs, Who Was Killed At Thiepval 1 July 1916, While Gallantly Leading His Regiment, 10th Royal Irish Rifles. Born in Cheltenham, his father at one time Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals and Fleets, Colonel Bernard had fought in the Burmese War of 1885-1891 and was Commandant of the 45th (Rattray's) Sikhs Regiment from 1909 until his retirement early in 1914. Quickly formed when war was declared in August, 1914 was Kitchener's "New Army." Made up entirely of volunteers, it would be the experienced old and often retired soldiers of all ranks that would take responsibility of command and training. So it was that Colonel Bernard took command of once such formation. The 10th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (South Belfast), part of the 36th (Ulster) Division. Having landing in France with his Battalion, the Colonel, now in his fiftieth year would lead his men forward from Aveluy Wood, across the River Ancre and into the western edge of Thiepval Wood. It was the early hours of 1 July, 1916 and the first day of the great Battle of the Somme was about to begin. In reserve for the time being, the Rifles would have an hour to wait before going forward. An hour in which they would see other men of the 36th Division leave their trenches and in good and steady order enter No Man's Land. The men of the 10th Rifles would also witness the devastation that followed. Machine gun and shell cutting through the ranks as they disappeared into the smoke. But the Rifles would themselves come under fire. Colonel Barnard being one of the first to be hit as he stood at the head of his men. His body was taken back and later buried in Martinsart British Cemetery on the south side of the village and the road to Aveluy. http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache...ERNARD&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=safari
