WALLENS, Herbert Percival

Herbert Wallens (Wallins on the Memorial) was born in Stourbridge, lived in Cradley and attended Cradley C of E School. He lived with his wife and two children at Fairholme, Dennis Park, Amblecote, and was a traveller for Mr G.H. Timmins, a brick manufacturer of Lye. He enlisted in the Army Service Corps as a driver in July 1916 and spent leave at home, probably in August 1918. He returned to the front line to take part in the greatest success of the Advance to Victory, the breaking of the Hindenburg Line. His unit was near Bourlon Wood in mid-September and in front of some of the most complex German defences at Cambrai. The attack of the 27th September was close to success but it was the next attack on the 1st October that attacked the Canal du Nord and drove the German forces into retreat. Lance Corporal Herbert Wallens was 29 years of age and was killed in action on the 2nd October. He is buried in Bourlon Wood Cemetery (I E 20) and commemorated on the Amblecote, Cradley and Cradley C of E School Memorials.