Herbie died suddenly on 30th May 2022, aged 47.

Herbie served a Short Service Commission in the Royal Artillery, transferring to the Royal Anglian Regiment in 1999 with a Regular Commission. He served with both our Regular Battalions. Initially he joined the 1st Battalion, serving with them in Londonderry, Pirbright, Afghanistan and Iraq from 1999 – 2006. And he commanded a Company in our 2nd Battalion in Germany and Iraq from 2007-2009. He then served on the Staff and left the Army in 2014 to start a family and pursue a civilian career.

Col Phill Moxey, here offers an abridged version of Herbie’s eulogy:

In 2002 Herbie was already an experienced young officer – he had served an operational tour in Londonderry through 2000-2001 as a Pl Commander at a time where there was still a terrorist threat, and where soldiers were daily risking their lives on patrol. His commander at the time, Simon Browne, recognised early on that he was a hugely caring officer – who put his men first. As a result, his platoon were always ready to do the tough jobs, safe that they knew what they were doing and why, and that their boss had their back.

When we deployed into Kabul in Feb 2002 – in the immediate aftermath of the fall of the Taliban, Herbie was a liaison officer into the NATO HQs – ostensibly because of his German language skills, but also because the Commanding Officer recognised Herbie had the charm, the energy and the intellect to build the kind of trust and credibility with our partners that was needed in such an uncertain environment. And if success can be measured by the amount of free US clothing, German food, Italian drinks and Turkish shaving products he used to return to camp with – then I would say he nailed it.

After time spent as an instructor and more exercises in Poland and elsewhere – Herbie found himself as a commander of a Trg Team advising the Iraqi Army – once again a non-standard job, given to the officers who could operate in small groups, who could build rapport with the Iraqis, and who understood the complexity of the operating environment. One of his soldiers – Danny Morgan, wrote to me recounting that on this tour, again, it was his deep compassion for his soldiers that shone through – and how Herbie wasn’t afraid to stand up to his superiors to make sure his men were looked after. One story that stood out was the time Herbie refused to get overworked troops artificially clean and bright for a visit from his Brigade Commander – instead insisting that the brigadier saw the soldiers as they really were – exhausted, dirty and hungry, but ultimately happy. The commander specifically praised Herbie for his candour and for giving him the opportunity to see how things really were in a long, hot, demanding summer for our soldiers.

Another of his Commanding Officers, Oli Stokes, sums Herbie up so well – his presence always promised an authentic and easy conversation. He didn’t have an agenda, he just wanted to be connected to people, he loved his soldiers and they loved him back. Everything he did was motivated by wanting to do the right thing or do right by others. And that also extended to the families of his soldiers – he knew their wives and kid’s names – always asking how they were doing. And his warmth, welcome and interest was applied to our wives and partners as well – he gave hugs that let you know he loved you, he danced with them long after we’d all given up – and he was as much a direct friend to them as he was his brother officers.

What is striking is that the same points are made over and over in the reflections I have received from those who served with Herbie – and it’s important to note that unusually Herbie served in 1 and 2 Royal Anglian, and in the 2nd Bn The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. So three different units all got to size him up – and the same consistent picture emerges – of a man who was far more talented than he ever let himself believe, of a man who cared deeply for those he led, of a man who was a natural, unforced leader, of a man who was just bloody great fun to be around.

We cannot avoid the truth that the years after he left the army were difficult for Herbie. If he was here now he would be the first to say he’d made mistakes. But as I seek to come to terms with his loss, and to understand the marks and scars he obviously carried, I do so from a starting point of understanding the man at his finest. From the starting point of remembering just how energetic and engaging he was, and how easy and how fun it was to be his friend. I remember how much we all envied the effortlessness with which he commanded his soldiers and the clear devotion they had for him. We are all shaped by the people we know – and I am grateful to Herbie and proud of the influence he has had on me. The sheer numbers from the army here today suggest many, many others feel the same. So – 550005 Major Jakob Hancock – from Vikings, from Poachers and from Tigers – we will miss you, and may you rest in peace.