Name
Bertie Charles Wells
22 May 1884,
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/03/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
2730
East Surrey Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POZIERES MEMORIAL
Panel 44 and 45.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
All Saints Church Memorial, St Paul's Walden, Whitwell Village Memorial
Pre War
Bertie Charles Wells was born in Whitwell, St Pauls Walden, Hertfordshire on 22 May 1884, the son of George Wells, agricultural labourer, and Emily (nee Saunders), and was baptised at St Pauls Walden on 5 Apr 1885. He was one of nine children, although three died in infancy.
On the 1891 Census the family consisting of parents, Annie Elizabeth born 1881, William George (born 1882), Bertie Charles, Ada Jane (born 1887), (Minnie) Elisabeth (born 1888) and James (born 1891 died 1900) were living at Whitwell, St Pauls Walden and his father was working as an agricultural labourer. Bertie remained in Whitwell in 1901 living with his parents, William, Elisabeth, Ernest (born 1894), Maud (born 1897), and Rosa (born 1899).
On the 1911 Census Bertie was working as a wagoner on a farm, living in Whitwell with his parents, Ernest, Maud and Rosa. Also recorded was Alfred, grandson, (born 1905) of George Wells.
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Bertie who enlisted in Hitchin and served as Private 2730 with East Surrey Regiment, going to France on 24 Mar 1915.
He may have been assigned to 1st or 2nd Battalion who were already in France before he was assigned to 8th (Service) Battalion which arrived in France on 28 Jul 1915. At some time Bertie was promoted to Lance Corporal. His division took part in the Battle of the Somme (1916), Arras and Passchendaele (1917). In March 1918 the Battalion were in position near Le Verguier, north of St Quentin when the Germans launched Operation Michael subjecting the British lines to many hours of enemy bombardment, including a large proportion of gas shells, the previous day and then suffered an enemy attack in the morning with heavy machine gun fire. In this action on 21/22 Mar 1918 Bertie was posted as Missing and his death was presumed. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £16 10s and arrears of £17 4s 10d. No pension information is available.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer, Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
