Herbert had been flying the Martinsyde G.100, referred to as the "Elephant" (on account of its size and poor performance in a dogfight) when at about 11am above Beugny, an Albatros D.II from the german flying unit Jasta 2 attacked.

Herbert became the 2nd victim of the renowned German pilot, Manfred von Richthofen later to be known as The Red Baron.

Herbert`s machine came down near the Bapaume - Cambrai Road after having about 300 shots fired at it, Herbert`s body was recovered and buried by the Germans, however his grave was lost in the subsequent fighting in the area afterwards.

The Arras Flying Services Memorial Commemorates more than 1,000 airmen of the Royal Naval Air Service, the Royal Flying Corps, and the Royal Air Force, either by attachment from other arms of the forces of the Commonwealth or by original enlistment, who were killed on the whole Western Front and who have no known grave.

The flight of doves on the globe at the top of the memorial, follows the exact path of the sun on Armistice day: 11 November 1918.