Herbert Alfred Disney

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Herbert Alfred Disney (known as Alfred to his family) was born in Barrow-upon-Soar, in Leicestershire in 1889. He had a challenging start to life in his younger days, having been diagnosed with both Pleurisy and Emphysema at the age of 10. An operation was performed, which left visible scarring, but this in no way impacted on his fitness level, which was rated as A1 when he enlisted in 1915.

Herbert enlisted for service as a Private with the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) on August 12th 1915, using the service number 29142. The Machine Gun Corps (MGC) was formed in October 1915, and quickly expanded. Herbert transferred to the MGC as a gunner on the first day of 1916, and now used the service number 6642. His battalion entered the war in France in March 1916, and while part of the 73rd Company he was promoted to Corporal in February 1916, acting Sergeant in June, and then Sergeant in August 1916.

Family accounts suggest that he was a participant in the Battle of Delville Wood, and the Battle of Guillemont. His leadership skills and composure were obviously noted, as by June 4th 1917, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). The citation in the London Gazette on July 9th 1917 reads as follows: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. he has constantly performed good work throughout, and set a splendid example to those under him"

Sergeant Disney was sent for Officer Cadet training in Grantham, and received his commission as a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant in September 1917. Herbert would have almost certainly taken part in some of the most important battles during the spring offensive of 1918, and by July 1918 he had earned the Military Cross. His London Gazette citation reads: "On two occasions he brought up supplies of ammunition and rations though intense artillery barrages. Later he personally rescued a gun and tripod, organising a fresh team from stragglers, and with them providing invaluable assistance during a crucial moment of the operations. His exceptional ability and courage were most marked". 

He again demonstrated exceptional courage, when on November 4th 1918, during the Battle of Sambre, he won the bar for his Military Cross. His citation for the MC Bar reads: "For fine courage and good work on November 4th 1918 during the attack on the Forêt de Mormal. When in charge of a section of machine guns he observed that the infantry was held up by heavy machine gun fire. He succeeded in personally capturing two enemy machine guns with about 12 prisoners. He brought one of the guns into action, and effectively silenced the machine gun fire that was holding up the advance".

The action at Sambre, only 7 days before the armistice, makes his 2nd Military Cross award one of the latest in the Great War. The award of the MC and Bar, plus the DCM, would make 2nd Lieutenant Disney one of the most highly decorated soldiers in the MGC.

It is also known that Herbert served as an officer in the Home Guard during WW2, with his family referring to him as ‘Captain Disney’, which may relate to the rank he held during WW2.

Herbert passed away aged 71, on November 7th 1960, and was interred at the Nottingham Road Cemetery on 11th November, a very appropriate date.

As he passed away as a civilian, his grave is not marked by a Commonwealth War Grave but by a traditional family headstone.