1914 finds Trooper Herbert in the City of London Yeomanry. The 'rough riders' were a territorial force originally formed of Boer war veterans. At the start of the war the four squadrons were attached to the London Mounted Brigade.
In April 1915 the Rough Riders were lined up on the quay ready to depart for Egypt when the names of ten or twelve men were called out. Herbert was one of them. Leaving most of their equipment behind the group were sent up to Biscot camp near Luton to join the No.6 Artillary Training School.
After a few months in Egypt August saw the Rough Riders dismount and set off for action in Gallipoli. Herbert's escape from the quayside may well have saved him his life. The trooper who inherited all of his equipment was later killed in action. Herbert's gear was then used to incorrectly identify the remains. This lead to the very much alive H.C. Brooks having his name (or be it with a mistaken initial) added to the City of London Yeomanry memorial in St. Bartholomews the Great Church, Smithfield, London. Both F. Bell and A.C. Herring (from the list on the right) are also unfortunately found on the memorial.
On the 21st August 1915 Herbert was promoted to Second Lieutenant in the 3rd London Brigade Royal Field Artillery, Territorial Force. The following February he is sent from Biscot Mill Camp to report to the embarkation commandant in Southampton. At the age of eighteen it now seems that Herbert was off to war.
