Son of Mrs. Ruth Tanner, of 73, Englands, Chippenham, Wilts, and the
late Frederick C Tanner.
County Roll of Honour
More Wiltshire Heroes
The men of Wiltshire have taken a glorious part in the titanic struggle
now raging. Week by week the list of honoured dead grows longer: but 'Who
dies if England live?' We give below the portrait of four more Wiltshire
heroes whose lives have been gladly sacrificed in the sacred cause for
which the Allies are hourly pouring out their blood and treasure.
Capt Frederick Gore Trowbridge Rifle Brigade
Pte EWT Matlock Trowbridge Canadians
Pte Leonard Percy Watson Bradford Wiltshire Regiment
Tpr Herbert Arthur Tanner Chippenham Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry
The honours of war have their greatest realisation on the battlefield,
but among those who have gone forth to serve King and Country and are
doing so with equal keenness and devotion, there are many who fall by the
way and give up their lives in the service of their country, the victims
of disease or injury. To the number of those who have thus crowned their
service by sacrificing their lives must be added Trooper HA Tanner, the
news of whose death has been received with great regret, and has drawn
forth sympathy with the bereaved parents and members of his family.
Trooper Tanner, who had only just passed his 21st birthday was the
second son of Mr and Mrs FC Tanner of 73 Woodlane, Chippenham. As a boy he
was a pupil at the Westmead School and was a member of the Church Lads
Brigade and Boy Scouts, He showed considerable talent for sketching and
painting and was an enthusiastic angler, being a member of the Chippenham
Angling Club. He served his apprenticeship with Mr T Hamblyn, dentist,
Chippenham and about eight months ago joined the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry.
Trooper Tanner came from a family of soldiers, being the grandson of
Colour Sergeant F Blanchard of the 54th Northumberland Fusiliers and later
of the permanent staff, Devizes. After service at Chippenham he was
stationed at Tidworth and about Easter last, he was attached to D
squadron, RWY and sent to France where he served some time at the base at
Rouen. Later he moved nearer the firing line and wrote stating that he
been through an interesting and exacting time under shrapnel. Later he had
the misfortune to meet with an accident, being kicked by a horse. Serious
complications ensued and he was removed to hospital and then sent back to
Rouen. The doctors first hoped to be able to get him well but after a week
in hospital he grew worse and the end came suddenly on August 14th.
Deceased was buried the following day in the cemetery at Rouen and was
accorded full military honours. All who knew him regret his death and none
more so than his schoolmates and companions both in civilian life and in
the Army for he was of a bright and cheery disposition and a good comrade.
Wilts Times 26 August 1916
Casualty list published in the Wilts Times 16 September 1916 listed:
Died
Tanner 1560 HA Tpr Yeomanry
Wilts Times 16 September 1916
In ever cherished memory of Tpr HA Tanner (Dear Bert) who died in the
General Hospital Rouen August 14 1916 aged 21.
Death took the from us in a foreign land
We were not near to clasp thy dying hand
But though the parting’s left us heartsore, desolate
For thee the hand of death did not unlock the golden gate.
And thou hast passed within it’s hallowed portal
Whilst we in hopeful sorrow wait the blest reunion in the life immortal
Ever lovingly remembered by his Mother, Father Brothers and Sisters
Englands, Chippenham 9 August 1917
Wilts Times 11 August 1917
In loving memory of dear Bert who died at Rouen Aug 14 1916.
Sleep on dear one, and take thy rest:
We loved thee well but God loved thee best.
Never forgotten by Nancy
Wilts Times 11 August 1917
In ever loving and cherished memory of Trooper Herbert Arthur Tanner
(Royal Wilts Yeomanry) who served his King and Country in France and died
in the General Hospital, Rouen August 14th 1916.
Thy passing from us, though two years have fled,
Has indeed made sore our hearts and life a dull grey way;
Yet, recognising Thy higher gain, how could we wish you back again?
Rather, we look to that sweet after-life when fleeting time is done,
And hearts made sad through parting here are there again made one.
From his Mother, Father, Brothers and Sisters.
Hazleby, Englands, Chippenham
Wilts Times 17 August 1918