Name
Bertie Dell
1883
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/04/1917
34
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Guardsman
10595
Grenadier Guards
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Researched.
UK & Other Memorials
Wigginton Village Memorial.
Pre War
Bertie Dell was born in 1883 in Wigginton, Herts, the son of Mark Dell (B 1853 in Wigginton) and Sarah Dell (nee Bridges) (B 1853 in Wigginton).
1891 Census records Bertie aged 8, at school, living with his parents, brothers Matthew 17, John 16, William 12, sisters Sarah 15 and Minnie 2 in Vicarage Road, Wigginton, Herts.
By 1901 Bertie had left school and was working as an Agricultural Labourer, living with his parents, brothers William, Horace 9, Edgar 7 and sister Minnie, near the Vicarage, Wigginton, Herts.
In October 1902, Bertie enlisted in the Bedfordshire Militia for six years and posted to the 4th Battalion with the Service No. 4376. In December of the same year he transferred to the Regular Army enlisting in the Grenadier Guards.
Bertie Dell married Lucy Ardron the daughter of Joseph and Hannah Ardron of Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancs, in 1907. They went on to have 4 children, Ethel, Reginald, Cecil and Dorothy.
1911 Census records Bertie as working as a Cowman on a Farm and an Army Pensioner, married with 2 children, Ethel 2 and Reginald 3 months, near the Vicarage, Wigginton, Herts.
Wartime Service
On the out break of WW 1, it is assumed Bertie was called up from the Reserve, re-joining the Grenadier Guards with the Service No.10595. His medal card indicated he landed in France on the 13th August 1914 with his Battalion. This corresponds with the Battalion War Diaries.
Bertie was discharged medically unfit for war service on 11th August 1915, under Kings Regulations "Wounded (K. R. 392 XVI". He was awarded the Silver War Badge No. 1435 in October 1916. Bertie died on 11th April 1917 of Gastric Ulcer, Prolonged Haemorrhage caused by wound received in Action.
2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards.
On the 4th August 1914, the 2nd Battalion, were stationed at Chelsea Barracks, London, as part of the 4th Guards Brigade, 2nd Division. Mobilised of war on 13th August 1914, and landed at Le Havre, France. The Battalion sore action on the Western Front including the "First Battle of Ypres" after the Battle there were only 4 Officers and 140 Men left in the Battalion.
Additional Information
Bertie died after his discharge, his widow Lucy was granted £5-10s-0d War Gratuity. A Pension of 28s-3d, per week was awarded to his family, this was reduced in February 1918 by 2s-6d to 26s-3d, per week on the death of son Reginald.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Stuart Osborne.
