Herbert George Columbine

Kept his isolated gun firing while his last comrades escaped

Herbert George Columbine was born at Penge, London, on 28 November 1893. His father served in the Lincolnshire Regiment and was killed in the Boer War in July 1900, when Herbert was six. Brought up by his widowed mother, he attended Melvin Road Council School and followed the family profession by enlisting in the 19th Hussars in 1911.

He went to the Western Front in 1914. As the Army expanded its specialized machine-gun organization, he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, serving with its cavalry squadrons. His work placed him among the crews whose sustained fire could hold an enemy attack long enough for other troops to reorganize.

On 22 March 1918, during the German spring offensive, Columbine took charge of a machine gun at Hervilly Wood. The position was isolated and lacked protective wire. From the morning into the early afternoon he kept the gun firing as repeated attacks approached. He and his remaining comrades continued resisting even as the surrounding position became increasingly difficult to defend.

A low-flying aircraft helped the attackers establish themselves in the trench. Columbine then ordered his two surviving companions to escape. He remained with the gun and continued firing while attacked from both sides. He was killed when an explosive destroyed his position.

The Victoria Cross recognized the four-hour defence and his decision to cover the other men's withdrawal. Columbine was twenty-four, unmarried, and had no life after the battlefield. His body was not recovered, and his name was recorded on the Pozieres Memorial. His mother received his Victoria Cross from George V in June 1918. His campaign medals recorded service from the opening months of the war through its final year.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice displayed, when, owing to casualties, Pte. Columbine took over command of a gun and kept it firing from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. in an isolated position with no wire in front. During this time wave after wave of the enemy failed to get up to him. Owing to his being attacked by a low-flying aeroplane the enemy at last gained a strong footing in the trench on either side. The position being untenable he ordered the two remaining men to get away, and, though being bombed from either side, kept his gun firing and inflicting tremendous losses. He was eventually killed by a bomb which blew up him and his gun. He showed throughout the highest valour, determination and self-sacrifice.

Seventh Supplement to The London Gazette of 30 April 1918. 3 May 1918, Numb. 30667, p. 5354