Family Search: When Private Herbert Victor Golden was born on 1 August 1895, in Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland, his father, William Silas Golden, was 34 and his mother, Hannah Baker, was 32. He lived in Croydon, Surrey, England, United Kingdom in 1901. He registered for military service in 1916. In 1916, at the age of 21, his occupation is listed as clerk. He died on 15 August 1917, in Thélus, Pas-de-Calais, France, at the age of 22, and was buried in Neuville-Saint-Vaast, Pas-de-Calais, France.
This man enlisted with the 8th Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles on 18 October 1915 at Kingston, Ontario. He was unmarried and a clerk in civilian life. He had no prior military experience.
His unit sailed for England on 9 October 1915 and arrived in England aboard the SS Empress of England on 30 May 1916. He was based out of Shorncliffe and was transferred to the 18th Battalion on 27 September 1916, arriving “in the field” on 10 October 1916.
On the night that Private Golden earned his Military Medal the 18th Battalion was heavily engaged in actions against the enemy. The 18th Battalion War Diary relates:
Enemy opened barrage on Battalion H.Q. MT. FORET QUARRIES, our Support Line at T.23.a.6. and our Front Line. The barrage on the Front Line lifted at 1.15 a.m. then two raiding parties, each estimated at 25 or 30 men, one on each side of the MT. FORET – ACHEVILLE ROAD, were seen approaching our wire. Fire was opened by M.G’s and rifles. Unable to get through the wire and checked by our fire the enemy retired. Of the party on the left frontage two of the enemy succeeded in getting through the wire, one of whom was severely wounded and taken, and the other gave himself up and was immediately sent back to Brigade H.Q. In the evening a dead German was brought in.
On the right frontage wiring was in progress and a N.C.O. and 6 men were well out front of our wire, when the barrage opened the N.C.O., Cpl. L. Skilton, gave orders for the party to retire. Immediately after the raiding party were seen and dispersed by our fire.
As soon as all quietened down a search party went out but failed to find the three men of the protecting patrol who were found not to have returned. Two rifles were found in a shell-hole but no other trace of them.
The night raiding party came on the road and immediately to the right of it. The left party about 250 yards from the road.
At daybreak Huns were seen carrying in casualties and stretchers were seen during the day on the BOUVRY ROAD also our observers report seeing 10 or 12 dead lying in no-man’s land today at T.18.c.6.5. Our casualties during the raid were 3 men Missing, 1 man Killed and 1 man wounded.”
Private Golden served his Battalion and his country until his death due to enemy action on 15 August 1917. The 18th Battalion was engaged in attacking German positions around Lens, France.
Note that this soldier was initially listed as having no grave and was commemorated on the Vimy Memorial. Subsequent to the end of the 2nd World War his original internment site was found and he was exhumed and reburied.
Military Medal Citation
North-east of VIMY on the night of 27/28th May.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. This man acting as Stretcher-Bearer, on the night of 27/28th May, carried on with exceptional coolness and bravery during a heavy enemy barrage on our front line. He repeatedly made trips up and down the Company frontage,look- for an dressing wounded under heavy shell-fire. He successfully bandaged several badly wounded men and rendered most valuable first-aid work. (A.F.W.3121. 2-6-17.)
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 