Pte Herbert Gerald Bigmore, 203195, 2/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) was killed in action near Ypres in Belgium on September 26th, 1917.

In a letter expressing sympathy to his sister Florence, the Officer Commanding wrote: "Your brother was posted missing after action on the 26th September. On that day the Battalion went into action in an attack, and your brother, I am afraid, was one of those for whom we could not account after the Regiment had come out of the line."

But a letter received from a bombardier in the Royal Garrison Artillery by Gerald's father, Mr Horace Bigmore, of Ramridge End, confirmed the worst. He wrote: "I am sending your two letters and cards found by some of the boys of my battery. The body of your son was found in a trench some time after his death. He must, poor fellow, have been killed by a shell instantly. The boys who found him buried him and also erected a cross." The location of the grave seems subsequently to have been lost as Pte Bigmore is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium, and also on Stopsley War Memorial and the Luton Roll of Honour.

A memorial service for Gerald, as he was generally known, was held at St Thomas's Church, Stopsley, on Sunday, October 28th, 1917, conducted by the Vicar, the Rev G. H.C. Shorting. He said: "We are deeply grieved at the death of Gerald Bigmore. After four weeks' silence, his body has been discovered in one of our trenches at the front. No one could help loving the lad for his bright and honest face, his devout heart and the wonderful love he had for his home, especially for his mother [Flora]. We shall miss him in our village, in the choir and before the altar."