Military History

Bertie is listed as being killed on the 3rd October 1917 during the Battle of Polygon Wood which was part of the wider Battle of Passchendaele. The 10th Battalion war diary entries for the period 2nd to 4th October are transcribed below.

Polygon Wood - 02 Oct 1917: The Battalion was relieved by 13th K.R.R.C. The relief was quiet, and although delayed a little by lateness of carrying party with rations, was completed at 3.15 a.m. The Battalion went back to the support position, with Battalion Headquarters at Bodmin Copse.

Polygon Wood - 03 Oct 1917: Day quiet. In the evening Battalion Headquarters quarters were moved up to Company Headquarters in the support line. Many S.O.S. sent up N of Menin Road. No infantry activity on our front. Barrages were put down along the line of the support trenches, and also along the Basseville Beek in reply to any barrage put down by our guns on the sector.

Polygon Wood - 04 Oct 1917: Platoons sent up at following times to support front line battalions to 13th K.R.R.C.

1 Platoon under 2/Lieut. G. F. JOHNSON, at 3.45 a.m. to occupy immediate support trench vacated by 13^th K.R.R.C. when moving into battle position.

1 Platoon under 2/Lieut. J. P. HARLOT, at 12.30 p.m. in response to call for support by O.C. 13th K.R.C.

To 13th Royal Fusiliers: 1 Platoon under 2/Lieut. W. G. ATWOOD, 5pm in response to call for support from O.C. 13^th Royal Fusiliers.

This left the Battalion only 1 Platoon about 40 strong to support the whole sector. At 5pm a message had been received from O.C. 13th Rifle Brigade that 2 Companies 8th E. Lancs were being sent up to strengthen support line.

Our barrage opened at Zero, and the enemy immediately put down a light barrage on our support line, and on support position of the front line. This gradually intensified and became the heaviest we experienced in the sector. Men were continually being buried but prompt action saved many casualties. S.A.A. and other stores were also buried and lost in this way. No men of the Battalion took part in the actual advance on the Brigade front. Communication was maintained with front line throughout the day by Runners.

A report having been received from 2/Lt Harlow that men were very crowded in his trench. Capt. R. C. Bambridge was sent up at about 8.0 p.m. to inquire into the situation with orders to withdraw as many men as necessary to the support line. This officer found the situation very obscure, and that it was unknown whether front line was in touch with Units on flanks. No men were withdrawn, and a request was sent to 13th K.R.C. to inquire into situation and pass on information when touch had been regained.