Private Herbert Thackray
The background of this man is not known at present, other than that he was from Leeds, Yorkshire.
Herbert Thackray enlisted in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays) (No.4726), on 18 July 1910. He embarked for France with his regiment on 15 August 1914. On 12 May 1915 he was wounded, suffering from shellshock – his regiment was holding a section of the line on the Ypres front at the time – and he was evacuated to England three days later.
Thackray was later posted to the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, returning to France on 9 August 1916, possibly to join the headquarters establishment of the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment following the formation of that regiment in France from C and F Squadrons and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron. The headquarters, formed in England and comprising 40 officers and men, joined the new regiment in France at the beginning of July. (Alternatively he was posted to the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron, which was then serving as A Squadron of the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment.)
The 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment served as corps cavalry to X Corps until August-September 1917, when the regiment was disbanded and its men were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Thackray, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt five days later. Thackray was issued regimental number 41121.
Thackray was wounded during the Battle of Cambrai, probably during the fighting around Marcoing in December 1917, and was evacuated to England for treatment. On 24 May 1918 he returned to France, where he was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.
On 15 February 1919 Thackray was transferred to Section B of the Army Reserve (renumbered 7042135). He was discharged on 17 July 1922.