Herbert Black was an architect and a widower when he enlisted on 19 February, 1917. He was not called up for duty until 2 July, 1917, and then began training, first at Royal Park, Melbourne, then at from 19 February to 29 March 1917 at Seymour and finally at Ascot Vale from 29 March until 12 May 1917.

He embarked from Sydney for England on HMAT 'Runic' A54 with the 1st Draft Engineers Field Company Engineers. By then he had been appointed as as Acting Corporal. Field Engineers were vital to the war effort. According to the Australian War Memorial's description 'Their responsibilities included constructing the lines of defence, temporary bridges, tunnels and trenches, observation posts, roads, railways, communication lines, buildings of all kinds, showers and bathing facilities, and other naterial and mechanical solutions to the problems associated with the fighting in all theatres of war.' On arrival, however, Herbert Black was ill and transferred to hospital. he was ill again in may, this time with influenza, and was sent to Fort Pitt Hospital,Chatham. It was not until 4 October, 1918, that he was finally sent to France on the 'Breitling Sea' from Southampton, and was taken on strength in the field on 14 November, 12918, three days after the armistice.

On 8 January, he was promoted to acting sergeant and in March, attached to the 11 Field Company. There was, no doubt, much to do in dismantling and mending structures associated with the war although the fighting had ceased. On 5 June, he was granted three months leave with pay, on the condition that he produced a letter from an employer.  He was employed as an architectural draughtsman at H S East, 14 Gray's Inn Square, London, and again reverted to his rank as Sapper. Following this three months, he was immediately granted extended leave with pay.

He returned to Australia on board the 'Pakeha' and was finaslly discharged from further service on 30 January, 1920. He received the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. By 1928, he was living in Capetown, South Africa.