Name
Bertie Rolph
1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/05/1918
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
3796
London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
4th (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
LXVI. B. 9.
France
Headstone Inscription
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
UK & Other Memorials
Wheathampstead Village Memorial,
St. Peter's Church Memorial, Gustard Wood,
Not on the St Albans Memorials,
Pre War
Bertie Rolph was born in Gustard Wood, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, in 1893, the son of Amos Rolph, a Shepherd and Susan (nee Jeeves). Bertie was baptised on 30 April 1893, in the Parish Church, Wheathampstead, Herts. The family at that time consisted of Parents, John (born 1870), George (born 1875), Ernest (born 1878), Sophia (born 1881), Albert (born 1883), Harry (born 1886), Frank (born 1887) and William (born 1890).
The 1901 Census records Bertie, aged 9, living with his parents, Harry (a nursery Gardener), Frank, (an Oddboy), William and Alice (born 1896) in Gustard Wood, Herts. (Rolph is spelt Rolf) and on the 1911 Census, Bertie now aged 18, is working as an assistant golf club maker, boarding with Arthur Catlin and his family at, 61, The Drive, High Barnet, Herts. Arthur Catlin was a Professional Golfer and Golf club maker.
Wartime Service
Bertie enlisted at Mill Hill, Middx, posted to the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) with the service number 3796, posted to the 2nd Battalion.
In March 1915, the Battalion was mobilized for war, embarking at Avonmouth for Gallipoli, via Alexandria, and Lemnos, landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. Seeing action at the Battle of Krithia and the Achi Baba Heights. In January 1916, they were evacuated to Egypt, in March 1916, they sailed for Marseilles, France, and on to the Western Front.
In January 1917, he received multiple Gun Shot Wound (GSW) and was admitted to hospital, on his recovery he returned to the front, in August of 1917, he received a GSW to his right arm and was again admitted to hospital, returning to the front on his recovery.
He was wounded in action in 1918 and died of his wounds on 7 May 1918.
Additional Information
His mother, Mrs. S. Rolph, Gustard Wood Common, Wheathampstead, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN".
His parents received a dependents pension of 5/- a week from 11 February 1919. War Gratuity of £17 and arrears of £7 9s 3d was paid to his mother Sarah. His parents received a dependents pension of 5/- a week from 11 February 1919.
Brother John enlisted as Private 146256 with Bedfordshire Regiment in Apr 1889 but was discharged ‘not to become an efficient soldier’, however he persuaded the Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) to accept him as Private 3037 in May 1890 and served 21 years (with postings in Malta and India, being discharged in May 1911.
Brother Albert enlisted with Essex Regiment in 1899 as Private 5647 (7 years, 5 on Reserve) served in South Africa 1901-2, India 1902 -06 and Burma 1906-08.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne, Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
