King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 2nd/5th Battalion, Service no. 242041
Son of Squire Halliday and Sarah Jane Snowden. Killed in action, 27th November 1917, aged 31. Commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Panel 8
Story
Sarah Jane and Squire had seven children. They were Arthur, Bertha, William (Jack), Herbert, Blanche, Harold (born 1889) and Wilfred. Harold Halliday was the father of Mrs. Mary (Halliday) Ryans. Herbert Halliday would have been her uncle, and great uncle to Linda (Ryans) Wheatley.
The Halliday family lived in the High Street at the shop on the left of the photograph below, Halliday’s Boot Shop. Herbert was a member of the Methodist Church, and had been part of the choir for a number of years. He was described as being “of amiable disposition and respected by all who knew him.”
Private Halliday took part in the Battle of Cambrai. It was the first mass tank attack in history. On November 20th 1917, the British 3rd Army launched a surprise attack on the German 2nd Army. On the first day, a six mile gap was punched in the Hindenburg Line. Two weeks later, the British were back almost where they started, at a cost of 40,000 casualties. Herbert’s death was reported on 28th December 1917, and he left an estate worth £100 0s 10d to be administered by his father.
Above: Private Halliday with his platoon
Above: The Cambrai Memorial, Louverval. Private Halliday is also commemorated on the grave of his parents in Kippax Cemetery (below):
Kippax Roll of Honour 