Herbert was born at Number 26, Bruton Street, Mayfair, London, and baptised at St George's, Hanover Square.

[3] After gaining of his first degree, he was employed as a civil servant in the administrative branch of the General Post Office (the GPO) in London, but resigned after succeeding to his peerage.

[8] In 1898 he was made Honorary Colonel of the 4th (Royal Montgomeryshire Militia) Battalion, South Wales Borderers.

Violet Ida Evelyn Lane-Fox (1865–1929), the second daughter of The 15th Baron Darcy de Knayth.

The very high inheritance taxes which prevailed in the United Kingdom in the post-war years may have influenced his decision.