Friday 25 January 2013

Private Joshua Ernest Hawksley Bertram

Born on 27 March 1881 in Sheffield, England - son of late Joshua Hawksley Bertram and Eliza Bertram, Sheffield, England - brother of Miss Amy Bertram, Durban, South Africa - attestation form notes present address in Dutton, Ontario, trade as farm labourer, single, no current or previous military service, height of 5 feet 5.75 inches, chest 34.5 inches, dark complexion, brown eyes, black hair, Baptist.

Joined the 91st Canadian Infantry Battalion in St. Thomas, Ontario, on 27 November 1915 (number 189529) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion in France on 20 or 21 August 1916 - killed in action on 18 November 1916 - name listed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Private Bertram's inscription on the Vimy Memorial that I took in August 2012).

(Many thanks to Paul Freeman and the Elgin County Archives for the image of Pte. Bertram).

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)

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