Herbert Read was born on 19th February 1891 in Melton and, by 1911, Herbert was working as a groom for Percy Crossman of Foxborough Hall. On 16th December 1913, he married Elsie Taylor in Lawford, Essex, after which, they returned to Melton where their first son, Walter Jack, was born. 

Herbert enlisted in the services on 29th March 1915 and joined the 6th Provisional Brigade. This was made up of Territorial Force men from the Eastern Counties who were not eligible to serve overseas. Herbert was a member of the 64th Provisional Battalion on coastal defence duties. On 1st January 1917, the battalion was based in Weybourne, Norfolk, when they were renamed as the 14th (Territorial) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.

At some point, Herbert was posted to France with the 4th Suffolk Regiment before being transferred to the 7th Suffolks. In May 1918, the 7th Suffolk Regiment was reduced to a cadre and the majority of the men were transferred to the 1st Cambridgeshire Regiment.

An article in the Woodbridge Reporter and Wickham Market Gazette reported on 5th September 1918:

Mr and Mrs Isaac Read, of Holly Cottage, Melton, have received the news that their son L/Corporal H Read of the 1st Cambridgeshire Regt has been badly gassed in the eyes; also slightly wounded in the knee. He is now in Kitchener’s Hospital, Brighton.

Herbert did not return to the front line and was posted to the 3rd Suffolks before being discharged on 5th April 1919. He returned home to his family who were now living in Lawford, Essex.

For his war service, Herbert received the British War and Victory Medals and the Silver War Badge.

In 1939, Herbert and his family were living in Mistley, Essex, where Herbert was working as a milkman. He suffered throughout his life from the injuries received from the mustard gas attack during the war and in 1961, went to St Dunstan's (now known as Blind Veterans UK) to be cared for. He died on 12th May 1962 at home in Mistley.