Name
Bertie Wells
8 Jan 1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/05/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
35606
Essex Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 7.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
All Saints Church Memorial, St Paul’s Walden, Whitwell Village Memorial
Pre War
Bertie Wells was born in Whitwell on 8 January 1898, the son of Louisa Wells, and one of nine children, although one died in infancy. He was baptised on 17 April 1898 at St Paul's Walden, Herts,
On the 1901 Census he was living with his single mother and five siblings at The Gravel, St Paul's Walden. His mother was working at home as a strawplaiter. They remained in Whitwell in 1911 at which time 13 year old Bertie was a scholar and although no occupation is given for his mother, his three older brothers, Arthur, Charlie and John were all working as farm labourers.
Wartime Service
Bertie was enlisted in Hitchin (possibly during 1916) and served with the 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment as Private 35606 . No service Record was found for him.
The Battalion fought in the Battle of Arras (1st & 2nd Battles of the Scarpe, Apr 1917) during which they lost many casualties. Bertie was killed in action soon after and was presumed to have died on 22 May 1917.
He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £3 and pay owing of £2 1s 11d. Pension cards exist but give no indication of the amount of pension received.
Brother to Charles Wells, Private 6502, who served with the Bedfordshire Regiment and died from pneumonia on 11 April 1916. He is buried in All Saints churchyard, St Paul's Walden, Herts. They are both named on the Whitwell Memorial.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer, Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
