Herbert Douglas Teare was born 20 May 1897 in Peel IoM, son of William James Teare a General Labourer and Christian Caine. In 1901 the family was living in Princess Street, Douglas and he was the youngest with 2 brothers (Robert William and John Albert) and 2 sisters (Emily Gladys and Eva Alice). Before he joined up Herbert worked as a roper at Quiggin and Co Ropeworks.
Herbert enlisted into the Lancashire Fusiliers 2/7th Battn. in Douglas. The 2/7th Battalion was formed at Salford in August 1914 as a home service (“second line”) unit. In February 1915 they were attached to 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and landed at Le Havre 28 February 1917. In March 1918, the brigade suffered extremely high and horrendous casualties during Operation Michael, the opening phase of the German Army’s Spring Offensive. On the morning of 21 March, a large-scale German attack began the Battle of St Quentin. Elements of the German 25th and 208th divisions attacked through heavy fog at dawn, overwhelming the 4th East Lancashires and 2/8th Lancashire Fusiliers (24th Division) which held positions in the forward zone. On the right flank, near the boundary with 24th Division, a reserve company of 2/7th Manchesters held a defensive position from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, when they surrendered, having taken 70 percent casualties and run out of ammunition. Consequently the battn was reduced to a cadre status and became a training battn seeing no more active service.
Herbert was killed in the action on the 21 March 1918, the first day of the battle of St Quentin when the Lancashires lost over 7000 men. He is remembered at Pozieres Memorial Picardie, France. His final pay due was paid to his mother and his sister Eva Alice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/66th_Division_(United_Kingdom)