Name
Bernard Dear
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
30071
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
"D" Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
NA
Pre War
Bernard Dear was born in Hitchin on the 9th July 1897, the son of James & Maria Dear, and was baptised in St. Mary’s Church, Hitchin, on the 22nd August 1897.
He was one of 6 children, the others being: Margaret (Marshall) – Stepsister born 1890, Ethel – Sister born 1892, Fredrick – Brother born 1895, Gladys – Sister born 1900, Elsie – Sister born 1904.
By 1901 Maria and her children, with the exception of Elsie who was not yet born, were living at the King William II Public House on Hitchin Hill. James Dear was not living with them at the time, as he was abroad serving with the Army.
Bernard first attended the St Andrew's National School, Hitchin, and by 1911 the family were living at 3 Barkers Cottages, Hitchin.
Wartime Service
Bernard's brother Frederick(*1), joined the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment with the Regimental Number 4/6823, He was wounded on the 16th June 1915 and died from his wounds.
Probably spurred by his brother’s death, Bernard enlisted in the Army on the 19th February 1916, when he was aged 18 Years and 9 Months. At this time his family were living at 16 Cannons Cottages, Hitchin Hill, and he lists his trade as Baker.
He would have undergone a period of basic training in the UK, after which he would have been held in Reserve until such time as he was required to serve overseas. This opportunity occurred on the 5th November 1916 when he was posted to an Infantry Brigade Depot in France, where he would have been prepared for service in a frontline role.
On the 8th December 1916 a draft of 194 N.C.Os. & men joined the battalion at Millencourt. Bernard Dear was most likely amongst these men and was attached to “D” Company. The Battalion War Diary states that the draft was “a very good lot of men on the whole but their drill was not all that could be desired & their knowledge of Training limited”.
Bernard spent Christmas Day with the Battalion where presents of Pudding, Fruit, Nuts and Cigarettes had been received from Sir Frederick Price, Lady Price, Col & Mrs.Hudson, Mrs.Heneker, wife of the late Brigadier, 54th Brigade. The men were supplied with a good Christmas dinner, quart of beer per man, which was followed by Entertainment. A most enjoyable day was spent by everyone in the battalion. The Commanding Officer (Lt.Col.George Pilkington MILLS, DSO) visited each mess & the health of all was toasted.
The Battalion spent the next few weeks training and preparing for service in the Somme Sector and on the 15th January 1917 relieved the 2/6th Battalion, Royal Warwick Regiment in the trenches.
On the 20th January 1917, Bernard was part of a detachment that were employed on Royal Engineer duties in the 54th Brigade Sector. A Shell exploded close to where he was working and he was wounded in the Left Buttock, Left Leg and Left Arm. After being evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station his wounds necessitated his evacuation to the UK, where he was treated at the Grove Military Hospital in Tooting, South London.
Bernard was brought before a Medical Board who determined that he had a “Shrapnel Injury to his Left Elbow”, which was severe enough for him to be permanently disabled and he was discharged from the Army with a pension of 13 shillings and 9 pence per week. He was awarded a Silver War Badge numbered 223560, which was worn on civilian clothing to show that he had served in the forces and had been honourably discharged.
Sadly, his mother, Maria, died of Cancer on the 20th July 1917, just a week before Bernard was discharged from the Army.
Additional Information
Bernard married Esther May Offord on 25th February 1919 at which time he was living at 67 Old Park Road, Hitchin. By 1924 he was living at 3 Taylors Cottages, Old Park Road, Hitchin. In 1939 Bernard & Esther were living at 45 Mattocke Road, Hitchin and he is listed in the census records as a Builders Labourer. Bernard’s death is recorded in the second quarter of 1972 (April-June). *1 At the outbreak of the Great War Bernard’s brother, Frederick, joined the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment with the Regimental Number 4/6823. He served with them in France from the 11th November 1914, seeing action in several parts of the Western Front. On the 16th June 1915 the Battalion were involved in a major attack at Givenchy. It was here that Frederick was wounded and is believed to have died from his wounds, as his body was never recovered and his name is recorded on the Le Touret Memorial, France. His name is also recorded on the Hitchin War Memorial, where it is shown as James Frederick Dear.
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson
